almost to become

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost to become" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to express a near transition or change, but it is better to rephrase for clarity. Example: "She was almost to become the leader of the team before the decision was made."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

She also seemed almost to become part of the flowers, greenery, and trees that made the wonders of nature so important to her.

The New York Times

Parr and Ray-Jones both find such poetic comedy in the everyday – the frank gaze of a cow or the tilt of a dozing man's head – that their pictures seem almost to become pastiches of the moments they capture.

The Guardian - Opinion

The set of suitcases that the three brothers schlep throughout India (made by Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton, with animal intaglios from drawings by Anderson's brother Eric) are so vivid as almost to become characters themselves, while serving as a symbol — obvious, yet potent — of their owners' emotional baggage.

The New Yorker

But his considerable achievement here was making the case, persuasively, that when a singer has so fully internalized the text and the music that he seems almost to become a song's protagonist, the texture and coloration of the accompaniment hardly matter.

The New York Times - Arts

Some of our most powerful memories are either of music, or are accompanied by music – and sometimes, even as listeners, we seem almost to become the music that we hear: "Music heard so deeply that it is not heard at all, but you are the music while the music lasts", as TS Eliot wrote.

The Guardian - Music

Writing his books indeed seemed almost to become John's compensation for not selling books, until one had almost no relation to the other and he was free to turn his writing to the purest purpose of all: to explain the world he lived in to himself.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

As time passed, it was almost inescapable to become extremely passionate about the mission.

Forbes

It's almost inevitable to become cynical - even jaded - about just how inept and inane top Washington officials are.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is almost certain to become law.

The New York Times

"It almost has to become a rich conversation".

The New York Times

Daniel Craig appears almost certain to become the first blond Bond.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be aware that although grammatically acceptable, the phrase might sound awkward to some readers, so choose your words carefully.

Common error

Avoid using "almost to become" in complex sentences where simplicity enhances understanding. Opt for clearer alternatives to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost to become" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically serving as part of a larger verb phrase. It indicates an action or state that is close to occurring but has not yet fully materialized. According to Ludwig AI, it is not a standard construction and it's better to rephrase for clarity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "almost to become" signifies a state of near transition. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI notes that it isn't a standard English construction and suggests clearer alternatives like "nearly becoming" or "on the verge of becoming". Its usage spans news, science, and wiki contexts, though its phrasing might be considered awkward in formal settings. When using "almost to become", be mindful of its potential for wordiness and consider whether a more direct phrase would better serve your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly become

Implies a close approach to a state, but falling short.

on the verge of becoming

Suggests imminence; a state is about to be reached.

about to turn into

Focuses on the transformation process.

close to being

Indicates proximity to a condition or state.

approaching transformation into

Highlights the ongoing movement towards change.

nearing the point of being

Emphasizes closeness to a specific state of existence.

bordering on becoming

Suggests a state is nearly achieved, possibly with negative connotations.

verging on transformation

Highlights the initial stages of a change.

on the cusp of turning into

Implies being at the very beginning of a transition.

practically transformed into

Suggests a change that is mostly complete.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "almost to become" for better clarity?

Consider using phrases like "nearly become", "on the verge of becoming", or "about to become" depending on the specific context.

Is "almost to become" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, "almost to become" can sound awkward. It's often better to use more common alternatives for smoother reading. Ludwig AI also confirms this.

What is the difference between "almost to become" and "nearly becoming"?

"Nearly becoming" is generally more concise and direct. "Almost to become" isn't as common and can sometimes sound more hesitant or less decisive than "nearly becoming".

In what situations is "almost to become" most appropriate?

The phrase "almost to become" can be used to express a near transition or change, but it's vital to ensure the context benefits from the nuanced meaning. In most cases, simpler alternatives are preferred.