i almost missed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I almost missed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing that you nearly failed to notice or catch something, such as an event, opportunity, or deadline. Example: "I almost missed my flight because I got stuck in traffic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I almost missed them".

The New Yorker

I almost missed the midges.

The Guardian - Travel

The first one was so quick I almost missed it.

Independent

I almost missed that, as I was flummoxed by FLEERED.

The New York Times

I almost missed the high of the mania.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I almost missed my flight due to a gate change.

The New York Times - Travel

The strangest location of all, though, I almost missed.

The New York Times - Arts

So I drove back up the road to see, and I almost missed it.

The New Yorker

I am Deaf-blind, and I almost missed my first lesson about Helen Keller.

The Washington Post

"This course doesn't really suit me, and I almost missed the cut," Olazabal said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I almost miss Shea.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to ensure the phrase conveys the intended meaning clearly. For instance, "I almost missed the point" is different from "I almost missed the train".

Common error

While "I almost missed" is acceptable, overuse of "almost" can weaken your writing, especially in formal contexts. Replace with stronger verbs or more descriptive phrases to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I almost missed" primarily functions as a declarative statement expressing a near miss. It indicates that the speaker came very close to not noticing, catching, or achieving something. Ludwig shows this usage across a wide range of examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I almost missed" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a near miss. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently used to describe situations where someone nearly failed to notice, catch, or achieve something. While appropriate for various contexts, more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain writing styles. The phrase is widely used in news, media, and everyday conversation to convey a sense of urgency or relief. Some related phrases are "I nearly missed", "I came close to missing", or "I barely missed".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I nearly missed

This alternative replaces "almost" with "nearly", maintaining the same meaning of a close call.

I all but missed

A more emphatic way of saying almost, indicating that the event nearly happened.

I just about missed

This alternative uses "just about" to emphasize how close the miss was.

I practically missed

Similar to 'almost', but slightly stronger in implying that the missing was very close to happening.

I came close to missing

This alternative uses a different structure to convey the same idea of a near miss.

I came within an inch of missing

This alternative uses a common idiom to highlight how close the miss was.

I narrowly avoided missing

This alternative focuses on the avoidance aspect, implying a successful but close call.

I skirted missing

This alternative uses 'skirted' metaphorically to mean 'barely avoided'.

I was on the verge of missing

This alternative emphasizes the proximity to the event of missing something.

I touched missing

This alternative uses 'touched' metaphorically to mean 'almost experienced', but did not happen.

FAQs

How can I use "I almost missed" in a sentence?

You can use "I almost missed" to describe a situation where you nearly failed to notice, catch, or achieve something. For example, "I almost missed my flight", or "I almost missed an important detail".

What's a more formal alternative to "I almost missed"?

In formal writing, consider using phrases like "I nearly overlooked" or "I came close to missing" for a more professional tone. For instance, instead of saying "I almost missed the deadline", you could say "I nearly overlooked the deadline".

What can I say instead of "I almost missed" when talking about understanding something?

If you're referring to understanding something, you could say "I nearly failed to grasp", "I almost failed to understand", or "I "barely understood"" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "I almost missed" or "I nearly missed"?

"I almost missed" and "I "I nearly missed"" are largely interchangeable and both grammatically correct. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or the rhythm of the sentence.