had almost come

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had almost come" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was very close to happening in the past but ultimately did not occur. Example: "The deadline had almost come, and we were still finalizing the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

THE moment had almost come.

The Economist

Hurd said that on some occasions board members had almost come to blows.

The New Yorker

It had almost come apart and was held together with ropes.

The Guardian

The battle had heated up over the previous two races, after Hamilton and Massa had almost come to blows in Singapore over a collision on the track.

The New York Times

By the end of the day his dream had almost come true as Alibaba's market capitalisation of $230bn was in sight of Walmart's $245bn.

The Guardian - Business

The plan had almost come to fruition, but after nine days at sea the boat experienced problems and they radioed the New Zealand coastguard.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

These Bruins have almost come full circle.

The New York Times - Sports

Dorn's career has almost come full circle.

The Guardian - Sport

Here are 10 "Star Trek" technologies that have almost come true.

The New York Times

In this way, I have almost come to respect Republicans for (unintentionally) shrinking their party.

The Economist

Their flops in the second half of the season have almost come to be expected.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "nearly arrived" or "was on the verge of" for a more nuanced expression, depending on the specific context.

Common error

Avoid using "had almost come" when the event actually happened. This phrase indicates that the event was close to occurring but did not fully take place. Use "had come" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had almost come" functions as a past perfect construction indicating an event or state that was very close to occurring but ultimately did not materialize. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its analysis of various examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had almost come" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, indicating that something was on the verge of happening but did not fully occur. Ludwig AI's analysis, as well as the example sentences, show that the phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While not overly formal, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various writing styles. Remember to consider the tense and avoid using it when the event actually happened, to ensure accuracy in your writing. Consider alternatives such as "was on the verge of" or "nearly arrived" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was close to arriving

Similar to 'was on the verge of arriving' but less emphatic.

was on the verge of arriving

Replaces "had almost come" with a phrase emphasizing the imminence of arrival.

was about to happen

Simplifies the phrase to indicate that something was on the brink of occurring.

was just about to occur

Emphasizes the immediacy and nearness of an event's occurrence.

nearly came to pass

A more formal alternative, suggesting that an event was close to taking place.

almost transpired

Replaces 'come' with 'transpired' for a more sophisticated tone.

was within reach

Focuses on the attainability of a goal or outcome that was nearly achieved.

was nearing its fulfillment

Highlights the almost completed state of a plan or promise.

was approaching its realization

Similar to 'was nearing its fulfillment', but stresses the realization aspect.

was drawing near

A more literary or evocative alternative, implying a sense of anticipation.

FAQs

How can I use "had almost come" in a sentence?

Use "had almost come" to describe a situation that was very close to happening or arriving but ultimately did not. For example: "The deadline "had almost come", but we managed to finish the project on time."

What are some alternatives to "had almost come"?

Alternatives include "was on the verge of arriving", "was about to happen", or "nearly came to pass", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "has almost come" instead of "had almost come"?

The choice between "has almost come" and "had almost come" depends on the time frame you're referencing. "Had almost come" refers to a past event that nearly occurred, while "has almost come" refers to something that is nearing completion in the present or recent past.

What is the difference between "had almost come" and "had nearly arrived"?

While both phrases indicate a near occurrence, "had almost come" is a more general expression. "Had nearly arrived" often implies a physical arrival or a more specific destination.