almost vanquished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost vanquished" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something or someone is close to being defeated or overcome, but not quite there yet. Example: "The enemy forces were almost vanquished, but a sudden reinforcements changed the tide of battle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

3 February (Allen Lane) The Anatomy of a Moment by Javier Cercas Always a nimble dancer on the edge of history and fiction, the Spanish writer returns with a closely researched but always dramatic account of the failed coup in 1981 that almost vanquished his country's fragile post-Franco democracy.

Independent

Before conquering the vocal demands, Voigt was almost vanquished by the set at the moment of her first entrance.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

We had even managed to almost vanquish malaria, which in the developing world continues to kill hundreds of thousands of children, and sicken tens of millions, every year.

The New Yorker

The main building was drafty and unheated, and tuberculosis, which had almost been vanquished among the general population, still broke out occasionally.

The New Yorker

Intersected by field drains and the few causeway roads that bisect the valley, the farmland was almost wholly vanquished by water.

The Guardian

Or it could be a hitting bonanza, with slugging Rangers like Josh Hamilton and Vladimir Guerrero and upstart Giants hitters like Cody Ross, who almost personally vanquished the vaunted Philadelphia starters in the National League Championship Series.

The New York Times - Sports

The result is that polio has been vanquished almost everywhere.

The Telegraph

Related: Le Pen family feud is a battle for the soul of the Front National – and France In an interview with the centre-right Le Figaro newspaper on Monday, Le Pen, who had threatened to leave the political ring "only at the end of the bout, whether victor or vanquished", seemed almost conciliatory as he said he would withdraw his candidature to avoid further damage to the party.

The Guardian

Thoughts and emotions may come flooding in almost immediately to vanquish this sacred second of peace.

Huffington Post

It is also engagingly written, not to mention fascinating throughout, and any initial misgivings I might have had about the viability of a popular, almost 400-page work about translation are completely vanquished.

The Guardian - Books

So far, the discount carrier has vanquished most of them.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost vanquished" to add a touch of formality or drama when describing a near defeat. It is particularly effective in historical or literary contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "almost vanquished" in everyday conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "almost defeated" or "nearly won" are more appropriate for casual settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost vanquished" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by a passive verb. It describes the state of something or someone being close to defeat. Ludwig shows examples where it modifies events or entities in historical or competitive contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

News & Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "almost vanquished" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something or someone nearly defeated, as affirmed by Ludwig. It carries a formal tone and appears most frequently in news and media contexts. While "vanquished" adds a touch of drama, simpler alternatives such as "nearly defeated" are often more suitable for informal situations. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in highlighting situations where defeat was narrowly avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly defeated

Replaces "vanquished" with a more common synonym, reducing the formality.

almost defeated

Simplifies the phrasing by using the common word "defeated" instead of "vanquished".

on the verge of defeat

Emphasizes the imminence of defeat, adding a sense of dramatic tension.

close to being defeated

More verbose but provides a clearer understanding of the situation.

on the brink of being vanquished

Adds emphasis using "on the brink" and keeps the original term "vanquished".

nearly conquered

Substitutes "defeated" with "conquered", implying a more forceful overcoming.

narrowly defeated

Highlights the slim margin by which defeat was avoided.

barely overcome

Shifts focus to overcoming an obstacle or opponent rather than complete defeat.

almost overthrown

Suggests a forceful removal from power or position.

practically subjugated

Emphasizes the completeness of the potential defeat, implying near total control by another force.

FAQs

What does "almost vanquished" mean?

The phrase "almost vanquished" means nearly defeated or overcome. It suggests that someone or something came close to being conquered or destroyed but ultimately was not.

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

You can use "almost vanquished" to describe a situation where a person, team, or idea was on the brink of defeat. For example, "The rebellion was "nearly defeated", but a sudden turn of events saved them."

What are some alternatives to "almost vanquished"?

Alternatives include "nearly defeated", "almost defeated", or "on the verge of defeat". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "almost vanquished" formal or informal?

"Almost vanquished" leans toward the more formal side. In casual conversation, it's usually better to choose something less elevated, such as "nearly defeated" or "almost lost".