be done almost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be done almost" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey that something is nearly completed, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The project will be done almost by the end of the week."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

This could be done "almost immediately", Corbyn said.

The Guardian

"Something needs to be done; almost everybody's in agreement on that.

The New York Times

(Unlike surgical abortions, they can be done almost as soon as a woman receives a positive pregnancy test).

The New Yorker

Replacing the cover and stuffing on this "drop-in seat" can be done almost entirely with a staple gun and without needing special tools.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Originally an activity that mimicked pool and ramp riding, in the mid- to late eighties street became creative and challenging in its own right; it was, after all, the kind of skating that could be done almost anywhere.

The New Yorker

Thus the discovery of a history and a tradition must be done almost by each individual, as though alone, as part of the road to freedom, or at least knowledge.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

They would rather be doing almost anything else".

The New York Times

All times when I'd rather be doing almost anything else.

The Guardian - Money

Or they could be doing almost the opposite: discouraging potential leaf-eaters.

The Guardian

And collectively, the amateurs seem to be doing almost as well at crater identification as expert planetary geologists, Kanefsky says.

Science Magazine

Preaching that old-time Catholicism of faith and reason is what Consolmagno will now be doing almost full time.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, replace "be done almost" with more precise alternatives like "almost finished" or "nearly completed" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "almost" as a direct modifier of the passive voice "be done". It often creates an awkward construction. Instead, rephrase to use "almost" with a stronger verb or adjective, such as "nearly complete" or "virtually finished".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be done almost" primarily functions as a descriptor indicating the state of something nearing completion. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, it's not considered grammatically correct. The examples from Ludwig show varied contexts, often where a more precise term would improve clarity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

29%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "be done almost" appears with some frequency across various sources, including news, science, and wikis, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. Although its intended meaning is generally clear—indicating that something is nearing completion—it's advisable to use more precise and grammatically sound alternatives such as "almost finished", "nearly completed", or "virtually complete" for clarity and correctness, especially in formal or professional contexts. The expert rating reflects this grammatical concern and recommends using alternative phrasing for better communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost completed

Emphasizes the state of completion being very close.

nearly finished

Highlights the imminence of the finishing point.

virtually complete

Suggests a state of completion that is so close as to be effectively complete.

practically done

Indicates that the remaining work is minimal.

close to being finished

More descriptive, directly conveying the proximity to completion.

approaching completion

Focuses on the process of nearing the end.

nearing completion

Similar to 'approaching completion' but slightly more concise.

almost finalized

Emphasizes the final stages of completion and approval.

substantially completed

Highlights that the major part of the work is over.

largely completed

Similar to 'substantially completed', indicating a significant portion is finished.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "be done almost"?

You can use alternatives such as "almost completed", "nearly finished", or "virtually complete" depending on the context.

How can I use a phrase like "be done almost" correctly?

While "be done almost" is not standard, aim for clarity by rephrasing. For instance, instead of "The project will be be done almost by Friday", say "The project will be almost completed by Friday".

Is "be done almost" grammatically correct?

No, "be done almost" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "nearly done" or "almost finished".

When is it appropriate to use "be done almost"?

It is generally not appropriate to use "be done almost" in formal or academic writing. In informal contexts, it might be understood, but it's always better to opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives.