had almost delivered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had almost delivered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was nearly completed or provided in the past but did not fully occur. Example: "She had almost delivered her speech when the power went out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Monday came with word from inside Anfield that there was no immediate pressure on Rodgers's position - surely the correct course of action given what he had almost delivered not so long before.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

After all, Mr Glocer has almost delivered the full £440m of cost savings from his previous plan.

The Guardian

Trump has almost delivered on this one, too.

Huffington Post

Most people's investment portfolios are meant to last for long periods of time, and a well-allocated portfolio of stock mutual funds has almost always delivered more wealth (money, total return, call it what you will) than bonds.

Forbes

Over the years, he has almost always delivered, blessing new hand-helds and consoles with brilliant ideas and dazzling design flourishes.

The Guardian - Tech

It went really quickly and by the time they were delivered, I had almost forgotten about them.

TechCrunch

Finally, and adjusting for potential confounders and covariates, preterm infants delivered by VE had almost doubled OR for ICH, four times higher OR for extracranial hemorrhage, as well as a 6-fold risk for brachial plexus palsy compared with those delivered by VD.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

UberEats had delivered my order almost an hour late, and while I was waiting for it, I had almost successfully deluded myself into thinking it would somehow revive me from my midday slump.

Vice

For England had their own inspired Ravi Boparara – who almost delivered something special alongside the journeyman's journeyman from Kent.

The Guardian - Sport

Jiangsu Sainty has been doing that for a while and it almost delivered the title last season.

The New York Times

By rallying Sinhalese, who make up around three-quarters of the population, to support an all-out campaign against the Tigers, which his steely defence chief and brother, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, and General Sarath Fonseka, the army commander, have ably delivered, Mr Rajapaksa has almost erased this stain.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "had almost delivered" with specific measurable details, like timeframes or amounts to improve clarity. This makes the situation described easier to conceptualize.

Common error

Avoid using "had almost delivered" when you actually mean that something was fully delivered or completed. This phrase indicates near completion, not actual completion, so using it incorrectly can mislead your readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had almost delivered" functions as a past perfect verb phrase, indicating an action that was near completion before a specific point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Example: "He "had almost delivered" the package when he realized he was at the wrong address."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had almost delivered" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase. Ludwig AI indicates that it is correct and usable in written English. It conveys the meaning of something being near completion or achievement in the past, but ultimately not fully realized. It's commonly found in news and media, science and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning of near completion rather than full delivery. Consider alternative phrases if a different nuance is desired. By paying attention to usage and context, you can effectively use the phrase in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

came close to delivering

Highlights the proximity to the act of delivering something.

was on the verge of delivering

Emphasizes the imminence of the delivery or completion.

narrowly missed delivering

Emphasizes the failure to deliver, highlighting how close it was.

nearly accomplished

Emphasizes the achievement aspect, focusing on the act of almost completing something.

fell just short of delivering

Indicates a slight deficiency in achieving the delivery.

came within an inch of delivering

Uses idiomatic language to emphasize the closeness to delivery.

virtually completed

Highlights the state of being close to completion, stressing how little remains to be done.

almost brought about

Shifts focus to the result or consequence that was nearly caused.

practically achieved

Focuses on the practical aspect of nearly reaching a goal or milestone.

virtually ensured delivery of

Focuses on near certainty of delivery, but stops short of guaranteeing it.

FAQs

What does "had almost delivered" mean?

The phrase "had almost delivered" means that someone or something came very close to completing a task, achieving a goal, or providing something, but ultimately did not fully succeed. It implies a near miss or an unfulfilled expectation.

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

You can use "had almost delivered" to describe a situation where someone or something nearly achieved a desired outcome. For example, "The company "had almost delivered" record profits this quarter, but unexpected expenses reduced their earnings."

What are some alternatives to "had almost delivered"?

Alternatives to "had almost delivered" include phrases like "nearly accomplished", "was on the verge of delivering", or "came close to delivering". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "had almost delivered" or should I use another tense?

The phrase "had almost delivered" is grammatically correct in the past perfect tense. The use of the past perfect "had" indicates the action of almost delivering occurred before another point in the past. If you're describing something closer to the present, other tenses might be more appropriate, such as "is almost delivering" or "has almost delivered".