had nearly completed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had nearly completed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action was almost finished at a specific point in the past. Example: "By the time the deadline arrived, we had nearly completed the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Before her illness, she had nearly completed a full historical treatment of the ensemble.

The New York Times

The Air Force had nearly completed integration before the Army really started.

The New York Times

At his death he had nearly completed a book on the theologian Reinhold Niebuhr.

The New York Times - Arts

When Murray died, in 1985, she had nearly completed the autobiography that omits this entire history.

The New Yorker

Johnson learned to touch-type around 1990, when word processors had nearly completed their replacement of typewriters.

The Economist

They had nearly completed the term by the time of the trial, and the following month they were released.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Sears has nearly completed a $1.5 billion repurchase authorized in March 1999.

The New York Times

She has nearly completed a study documenting the language effect.

The New York Times

The property required significant improvements, which we have nearly completed.

The Guardian - Money

Nearly two decades later, with the Sydney Games set to open tomorrow, Australia has nearly completed its comeback.

The New York Times - Sports

Photographic film has nearly completed its transition from the mass market to the artisanal.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had nearly completed", ensure that the context makes it clear what was almost finished. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the task, project, or activity that was nearing completion.

Common error

Avoid using "had nearly completed" if the action was never actually finished. If the action was interrupted or abandoned, consider using phrases that emphasize the lack of completion rather than the progress made.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had nearly completed" functions as a verb phrase indicating the past perfect tense, modified by the adverb "nearly". It describes an action that was close to being finished at a specific point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had nearly completed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that effectively conveys that an action was very close to being finished at a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in scientific and general writing. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies what was almost finished and avoid using it if the action was never actually completed. Alternatives include "was close to finishing" and "had almost finished". The phrase functions to provide context and describe project status, academic pursuits, and historical developments, making it a versatile addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had all but finished

Emphasizes that only a small part remained.

had practically completed

Stresses the high degree of completion.

was close to finishing

A more straightforward way of saying something was almost done.

was on the verge of completing

Emphasizes being at the point immediately before completion.

was about to complete

Highlights the imminence of completion.

had almost concluded

Highlights the near conclusion of a process or task.

was nearing completion of

Focuses on the process of approaching completion.

was in the final stages of

Indicates being in the last part of a process.

had substantially completed

Indicates a significant portion was finished.

was drawing to a close

Suggests the final phase of an activity or project.

FAQs

How can I use "had nearly completed" in a sentence?

Use "had nearly completed" to describe an action that was close to being finished at a specific point in the past. For example, "By the end of the day, we "had nearly completed" the report".

What can I say instead of "had nearly completed"?

You can use alternatives like "was close to finishing", "had almost finished", or "was on the verge of completing" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "had near completed" instead of "had nearly completed"?

No, "had near completed" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is ""had nearly completed"", where "nearly" is an adverb modifying the verb "completed".

What's the difference between "had nearly completed" and "had completely finished"?

"Had nearly completed" implies that the action was very close to being finished, but not quite. "Had completely finished" means the action was entirely done and finished.