i almost did

USAGE SUMMARY

"I almost did" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used when one was close to completing an action, but was unable to go through with it. For example, you could say, "I almost did my homework, but then I decided to watch Netflix instead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I almost did.

The New York Times - Sports

I almost did, too.

The New Yorker

And I almost did it.

The New York Times

I almost did that one.

The New York Times

I almost did that.

The Guardian - Arts

And I almost did.

The Guardian - Travel

I almost did call you back".

The New York Times

"And I almost did go broke, twice!

The Guardian - Film

I almost did not recognize her outside her minivan.

The New York Times

I almost did pack it in when I heard that.

The New York Times - Arts

You're going to kill yourself.' I almost did".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context makes it clear what action "i almost did" refers to, as ambiguity can confuse the reader. Providing specific details or context improves understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "i almost did" without specifying what you almost did. Without context, the phrase is meaningless and can leave the reader confused.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i almost did" functions as a concise expression indicating a near-miss or an action that was very close to being performed but ultimately wasn't. This is supported by Ludwig, which provides examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "i almost did" is a grammatically correct and highly versatile expression used to indicate that an action nearly occurred but ultimately did not. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, signifying its broad applicability. When using "i almost did", be mindful of providing sufficient context to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives such as "i nearly did" and "i practically did" exist, choosing the most contextually appropriate alternative ensures clarity and precision in communication. Overall, the phrase is a valuable tool for expressing near-misses and contingent situations in both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i nearly did

Replaces "almost" with "nearly", maintaining the same meaning of coming close to an action.

i practically did

Suggests the action was so close to completion that it was as good as done.

i came close to doing it

Uses a more descriptive phrase to convey the narrow margin by which the action was not completed.

i was on the verge of doing it

Indicates being right at the point of starting or completing the action.

i was about to do it

Implies that the action was imminent but did not occur.

i was just about to do it

Emphasizes the immediacy and near completion of the intended action.

i contemplated doing it

Focuses on the thought process leading up to the potential action, rather than the action itself.

i considered doing it

Similar to 'contemplated', but suggests a slightly more serious level of consideration.

it was a near thing

An idiomatic expression indicating something almost happened or was almost done.

i skirted with doing it

Implies narrowly avoiding doing something, often with negative consequences.

FAQs

What does "i almost did" mean?

The phrase "i almost did" means that you came very close to performing a particular action, but ultimately you didn't do it.

How can I use "i almost did" in a sentence?

You can use "i almost did" to express a near action that didn't happen, like "I almost missed the train, but I ran and jumped on board just as the doors were closing" or "I almost told her the truth, but I chickened out at the last minute".

What can I say instead of "i almost did"?

You can use alternatives like "i nearly did", "i practically did", or "i came close to doing it" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "i almost done" instead of "i almost did"?

No, "i almost done" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "i almost did". "Done" is a past participle and requires an auxiliary verb such as "was" or "were". You could say "I was almost done", which means "I was close to finishing".