almost work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost work" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey that something is close to functioning or being effective, but it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "The new software is almost work, but it still needs some adjustments to function properly."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"They could almost work on this together".

The Guardian

They work on your confidence and almost work with you individually".

The New York Times

They almost work as self-contained stories, particularly the extraordinary scene with the Handdara Foretellers.

The New Yorker

"It could almost work here like hip-hop works for Brits -- as a fantasy," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

It could almost work as a pilot for a (very dark) TV series; there is a tinge of early Polanski.

The Guardian - Film

It should seem tragic and uncomfortable but somehow the two women's enthusiasm – and Little Edie's vitality in particular – makes it almost work.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

It almost worked.

The New York Times

Well, almost worked.

The New York Times - Arts

And it almost worked.

The New York Times - Magazine

The strategy almost worked.

The New York Times - Sports

The ploy almost worked.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the grammatically questionable phrase "almost work", opt for clearer alternatives like "nearly functions" or "is close to working" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness in your writing.

Common error

Avoid prioritizing colloquial usage over grammatical correctness. While "almost work" might be understood, using grammatically sound alternatives enhances your credibility and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost work" functions as a modifier and a verb, attempting to express that something is in a state of near functionality. As Ludwig AI states, it's not grammatically correct in standard written English, therefore is preferable to use other structures with similar meaning.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science & Research

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "almost work" is commonly used, especially in News & Media, it's grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests using alternatives like "nearly works", "is close to working", or other similar constructions to ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity. Despite its frequency, prioritizing grammatical correctness enhances the credibility and clarity of your writing. The phrase aims to communicate that something is nearing functionality or success but isn't quite there yet. Opting for grammatically sound alternatives ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly function

Focuses on the functional aspect of something being close to working.

practically succeed

Emphasizes the success aspect, suggesting a near achievement.

virtually operate

Highlights the operational aspect of something almost working.

close to functional

More descriptive, emphasizing the state of being nearly functional.

on the verge of success

Emphasizes the proximity to achieving a positive outcome.

just about effective

Highlights the effectiveness aspect and that is near it

approaching functionality

Emphasizes the process of becoming functional but without having reached it yet.

nearing completion

Focuses on the state of being nearly finished or ready to go.

bordering on operational

Highlights the operational aspect and suggests something is about to be working.

verging on completion

Similar to nearing completion, but with a slightly stronger emphasis on the imminence.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "almost work"?

You can use alternatives like "nearly function", "practically succeed", or "close to functional" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "almost work"?

No, "almost work" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "almost works", "nearly works", or "is almost working".

How to use "almost work" in a sentence correctly?

While "almost work" is grammatically incorrect, you can rephrase the sentence using alternatives like "It almost works", or "It is close to working". For example, instead of "The plan almost work", say "The plan almost "worked"".

What's the difference between "almost work" and "almost works"?

"Almost work" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "almost works" when referring to a singular subject. For example, "The device almost "works", but needs further adjustments" is correct.