almost tangible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost tangible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is nearly able to be touched or felt, but not quite. Example: The excitement in the air was almost tangible as the audience waited for the performer to take the stage.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Music

Sports

Books

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The hypocrisy is almost tangible".

The New York Times - Sports

The experience is almost tangible.

The Guardian - Film

The pathos was almost tangible.

The Guardian

These drawings are almost tangible.

The New York Times

It gives them a detachment that is almost tangible.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Her fragility becomes something almost tangible for the viewer.

The Guardian

"The excitement in that stadium was almost tangible.

The New York Times - Sports

The sense of living in a museum becomes almost tangible.

The New York Times

This naturalness of their behaviour, almost tangible in every shot, pays tribute to Hetherington's abilities.

Independent

The strain on what is still a relatively young side is almost tangible.

Independent

They have a weight and solidity to them, which makes them almost tangible.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost tangible" to describe intangible qualities, emotions, or atmospheres that are strongly felt or perceived, but not physical.

Common error

Avoid using "almost tangible" to describe physical objects that are simply difficult to reach or grasp. Instead, reserve it for describing abstract sensations or atmospheres.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost tangible" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjectival phrase, that describes a noun. It indicates that the quality being described is so strong that it's close to being something that can be physically touched or felt. Ludwig AI highlights the wide usage of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

12%

Music

5%

Less common in

Sports

3%

Books

3%

Travel

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost tangible" is a widely used and grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to describe intangible qualities that are so strong they feel as if they could be touched. Ludwig AI indicates it is appropriate for various writing styles, but is particularly common in "News & Media" contexts. It is important to reserve the use of "almost tangible" to describe abstract sensations, as misusing it for physical object descriptions would be considered incorrect. Alternative phrases include "virtually palpable" and "nearly perceptible", each carrying slightly different nuances. This guide helps to promote the better usage of "almost tangible" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost palpable

Focuses on the feeling of being able to sense something strongly, though not physically.

virtually palpable

Replaces "tangible" with "palpable" and "almost" with "virtually", emphasizing the near-sensory experience.

nearly perceptible

Shifts the focus to perception rather than touch, implying something close to being sensed.

all but concrete

Suggests something is close to being definite or real, but not entirely so.

practically real

Emphasizes the nearness to reality, implying something is very close to being genuine.

verging on substantial

Implies a movement toward being substantial or significant, without fully reaching that state.

as good as real

Simplifies the expression to highlight the effect that is similar to the real one

barely imperceptible

Highlights the slightness of something not being tangible, emphasizing its subtle presence.

tantamount to concrete

Indicates equivalence to something concrete, highlighting its significance.

nigh on touchable

Uses an archaic expression ("nigh on") to convey closeness to being touchable.

FAQs

How can I use "almost tangible" in a sentence?

You can use "almost tangible" to describe feelings, atmospheres, or abstract concepts that are so strong they feel as if they could be touched or physically sensed. For example, "The tension in the room was "almost tangible"".

What's the difference between "almost tangible" and "almost palpable"?

While similar, "almost tangible" emphasizes the sense of touch, while "almost palpable" highlights the feeling of being able to sense something strongly, even without physical contact. Palpable emphasizes the intensity of the sensation, while tangible highlights the near-physical presence.

What are some alternatives to saying "almost tangible"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "virtually palpable", "nearly perceptible", or "all but concrete" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to use "almost tangible" in formal writing?

Yes, "almost tangible" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. It is a commonly used phrase in various contexts, as evidenced by its presence in reputable news sources and academic texts.