it almost cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it almost cost" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a situation where something nearly resulted in a significant expense or loss. Example: "The unexpected repairs were a hassle, and it almost cost me my entire savings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

It almost cost Pegasus the race.

The New York Times - Sports

It almost cost me playing in the World Series that year.

The New York Times - Sports

It almost cost him against Fernando Verdasco, for example, at Wimbledon.

The Guardian - Sport

It almost cost her victory," said Richard Stöss, political science professor at the Free University in Berlin.

The New York Times

It almost cost Mr Ignatieff his job and led to a shake-up of his advisers.Mr Harper has had his own stumbles this summer.

The Economist

But only 10 years ago, it was the source of a national debate on space policy, and it almost cost us the Hubble telescope.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

It was an extraordinary shot". Darren Bravo seems to fancy a bit of James Anderson and it almost costs him his wicket.

BBC

Sloppy stuff from Real Madrid at the start of the second half and it almost costs them as a cross from the left finds Fabian Orellana in acres of space, but the Celta player steers his shot just past the far post.

BBC

And yet it was the tragedy or, to be more exact, the bathos that followed it that almost cost Green the election.

The New Yorker

"If I worked at McDonald's or Dairy Queen, it would almost cost me more to pay someone to care for the kids," she said.

The New York Times

"It kind of almost cost me the whole Olympic experience," Satan said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it almost cost", ensure the subject and the 'cost' are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The missed deadline almost cost us the contract."

Common error

Avoid using "it almost cost" without a clear reference for 'it'. Ensure the reader knows what 'it' refers to in the sentence to maintain clarity and avoid misinterpretation. Instead of writing 'The error occurred and it almost cost', specify the antecedent: 'The error almost cost the project'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it almost cost" functions as a causal expression, indicating that something narrowly avoided resulting in a specific consequence. Ludwig examples show its use in describing near-misses in various contexts, from sports to business.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it almost cost" is deemed grammatically correct and commonly used, according to Ludwig AI. Analysis of various sources, predominantly from News & Media, reveals its function as a causal expression, conveying that something narrowly avoided a negative outcome. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse contexts. While alternatives like "it nearly resulted in" exist, "it almost cost" remains a versatile and clear way to express near misses. When using this phrase, ensure that the subject, as well as the "cost", are clearly defined.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it nearly resulted in

Emphasizes the outcome or result that was narrowly avoided.

it came close to costing

Highlights the proximity to incurring a cost.

it barely avoided costing

Stresses the narrow margin by which a cost was avoided.

it practically ruined

Focuses on the potential for complete failure or damage.

it just about lost

Implies a close call in terms of losing something.

it threatened to cost

Highlights the potential or risk of incurring a cost.

it risked costing

Emphasizes the element of risk involved.

it narrowly averted

Suggests a successful effort to prevent a negative outcome.

it was on the verge of costing

Indicates that something was very close to resulting in a cost.

it could have cost

Focuses on the hypothetical possibility of a cost.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it almost cost" in a sentence?

You can replace "it almost cost" with phrases like "it nearly resulted in", "it came close to costing", or "it barely avoided costing" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "it almost costed" grammatically correct?

No, "it almost costed" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "it almost cost", as "cost" is irregular and its past tense form is also "cost".

What does "it almost cost" imply?

"It almost cost" implies that something nearly resulted in a negative consequence, loss, or expense, but ultimately did not. It suggests a close call or a situation where a bad outcome was narrowly avoided.

Can "it almost cost" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "it almost cost" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding context and the overall tone of the piece rather than the phrase itself. News articles, reports, and even academic papers can use it when describing near misses or avoided consequences.