it almost happened

USAGE SUMMARY

"it almost happened" is correct and can be used in written English.
It typically conveys the idea that something didn't happen, but was close to happening or nearly happened. For example, you could say, "We were so close to winning the championship, but it almost happened."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

But it almost happened... Before "Game of Thrones" made its debut, now-20-year-old Gleeson -- who is an accomplished student at Trinity College in Dublin -- was asked to be a double for the original actor being considered for the role of Joffrey.

Huffington Post

It almost happened, in 1994.

The New York Times

It almost happened twice.

The New York Times

Three months later, it almost happened again.

The Washington Post

Four years later, it almost happened again.

The New York Times

It seemed like it almost happened.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

"It's almost happened to me before.

Vice

It's something that almost happened in a different lifetime.

The Guardian - Sport

Those who reported 'probably will happen' and "it almost certainly will happen' were coded as high risk perception (1).

BMC Health Services Research

"It almost all happened without me," she said without self-pity in her show.

Los Angeles Times

Four response categories were used: "it almost certainly will not happen", "it could happen", "it probably will happen" and "it almost certainly will happen".

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it almost happened" to create suspense or highlight the potential consequences that were avoided. For example, in a narrative, this phrase can signal a turning point or a crucial moment of averted danger.

Common error

Avoid using "it almost happened" when the event definitively did or did not occur. For instance, saying "it almost happened, and then it did" is contradictory. Instead, clarify the sequence of events using precise language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it almost happened" functions as a statement indicating that an event was close to occurring but ultimately did not. As Ludwig highlights, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it almost happened" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that conveys a sense of a near miss or averted event. Ludwig's analysis confirms its validity and common usage, especially in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context aligns with the intended meaning of something that nearly occurred but did not, and avoid using it in situations where the outcome is definitively known. To further diversify your writing, consider using alternatives such as "it nearly occurred" or "it came close to happening".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it nearly occurred

Replaces "almost happened" with a more formal synonym, "occurred", maintaining the meaning of a near event.

it came close to happening

Emphasizes the proximity of the event without it actually taking place.

it was a close call

Highlights the narrow margin by which the event was avoided.

it was touch and go

Suggests a period of uncertainty where the outcome was uncertain but nearly resulted in the event.

it narrowly missed occurring

Combines "narrowly missed" with "occurring" to indicate a slight margin of avoidance.

it barely avoided happening

Stresses the minimal distance by which the event was averted.

it skirted disaster

Uses "skirted disaster" to convey the idea of narrowly avoiding a negative outcome.

it was on the verge of happening

Indicates that the event was imminent but ultimately did not occur.

it threatened to happen

Emphasizes the potential for the event to occur without it actually materializing.

it was a near thing

Uses the idiom "a near thing" to denote a close call or narrow escape.

FAQs

What does "it almost happened" mean?

The phrase "it almost happened" means that something nearly occurred or was very close to occurring but did not actually take place. It indicates a near miss or a potential outcome that was avoided.

How can I use "it almost happened" in a sentence?

You can use "it almost happened" to describe a situation where something was on the verge of occurring. For example, "The company almost went bankrupt, but "it almost happened"".

What can I say instead of "it almost happened"?

You can use alternatives like "it nearly occurred", "it came close to happening", or "it was a close call" depending on the context.

Is "it almost happened" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it almost happened" is grammatically correct. The adverb "almost" correctly modifies the verb "happened", indicating a near occurrence.