almost yes

USAGE SUMMARY

'almost yes' can be used in written English.
It is used to indicate that a suggested answer is partially correct. For example, "Q: Is the capital of Australia Canberra? A: Almost yes, Sydney is the largest city in Australia, but Canberra is the capital."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If he wants to stay in the euro, Tsipras will have to tell voters that he has signed up to a package marked "almost Yes".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Yes, almost certainly, yes.

The New York Times

I sent out a dozen congratulatory emails, and each response was an almost immediate "yes, but": Yes, but we're looking at our per-unit profit.

Forbes

We almost said yes".

The New York Times

Almost certainly, yes.

The Guardian

Almost always, yes.

The Guardian

COHEN -- Almost always, yes.

The New York Times

Almost certainly yes.

The New York Times

At the moment, almost certainly yes.

The Guardian - Tech

The answer is almost surely yes.

The New York Times

Almost certainly yes," Mr. Berger said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost yes" to indicate provisional agreement or acceptance, clarifying any reservations or conditions immediately afterward for clear communication.

Common error

Avoid using "almost yes" when a definitive answer is required or when the nuances are critical; instead, clearly state the conditions that need to be met for a full affirmative response.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost yes" functions as an adverbial modifier qualifying the degree of affirmation. It indicates a conditional or partial agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its standard usage in expressing near-agreement with possible reservations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "almost yes" is a useful expression for indicating near agreement or qualified affirmation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news, academia, and business. It is important to state your hesitations to the agreement clearly after saying "almost yes". While it may not be suitable in situations demanding definitive answers, it allows for nuanced communication by conveying a conditional or partial agreement. Alternatives like "qualified yes" or "provisional agreement" can provide similar expressions. Remember to clarify reservations to avoid oversimplifying nuanced situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

practically affirmative

Emphasizes the likelihood of agreement, focusing on practical outcome.

virtually agreed

Highlights the near-certainty of the agreement, close to completion.

nearly a confirmation

Focuses on the aspect of confirming something with a slight degree of uncertainty.

close to approval

Specifically suggests that approval is imminent, but not yet finalized.

nearing acceptance

Emphasizes the process of approaching acceptance, rather than the state itself.

essentially positive

Highlights the fundamental positive nature of the response with minor reservations.

kind of agreeing

Indicates a hesitant or reluctant agreement, lacking full enthusiasm.

approaching a yes

Highlights the directional movement towards an affirmative response.

in effect, yes

Implies an agreement in practical terms, even if not explicitly stated.

a qualified yes

This phrase highlights the presence of conditions or reservations accompanying the agreement.

FAQs

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

You can use "almost yes" to express near agreement, as in, "The proposal received an "almost yes", pending a few minor revisions".

What does "almost yes" mean?

"Almost yes" suggests a leaning towards agreement but with lingering doubts or conditions that prevent a complete affirmation.

What are some alternatives to "almost yes"?

Alternatives include "qualified yes", "provisional agreement", or "tentative approval", depending on the specific context and nuances you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "almost yes" or "almost certainly yes"?

"Almost certainly yes" implies a higher degree of certainty than "almost yes". Use the former when you are highly confident in the affirmative outcome. The choice depends on how sure you want to sound.