it almost worked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it almost worked" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that an attempt or effort was close to being successful but ultimately did not achieve the desired outcome. Example: "I tried to fix the old car, and it almost worked, but the engine still wouldn't start."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

And it almost worked.

The New York Times - Magazine

It almost worked.

The New York Times

It almost worked, too.

The Guardian - Sport

By all accounts, it almost worked.

The New York Times - Books

The Cowboys called three straight timeouts with seven seconds left to try rattling Stockton -- and it almost worked.

The New York Times - Sports

"They did so much and worked so hard to make us forget who we are," says LeGrand. "It almost worked".

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

This slick tracking shot is a bewitching beckon, so self-aware about its own delicious coyness that it almost works as high camp.

Huffington Post

(Oddly, the editing in the uncensored opening unreleased in the West on its original platform changes the pacing enough that it almost works).

Vice

(Oddly, the editing in the uncensored opening – unreleased in the West on its original platform – changes the pacing enough that it almost works).

Vice

And it almost works.

The Guardian - Books

For a while, it almost works.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it almost worked" to acknowledge effort and near success, providing context for understanding the outcome. For example: "The team's strategy was well-planned; it almost worked, but a last-minute change by the opponent led to their defeat."

Common error

Avoid using "it almost worked" when the effort was far from achieving the goal. This phrase implies a high degree of proximity to success, not just a vague attempt. If the goal was far from being achieved, consider using "it didn't work" or "the effort failed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it almost worked" primarily functions as a statement indicating a near-successful attempt. It provides a concise way to express that an action or plan was close to achieving its intended outcome, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it almost worked" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that an attempt or plan nearly succeeded but ultimately failed. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, especially in news and media. While its register is generally neutral, more formal settings might benefit from more specific language. When using this phrase, ensure that the effort was indeed close to success and not just a vague attempt. Consider alternatives like "it nearly succeeded" or "it came close to working" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it nearly succeeded

Emphasizes the closeness to success but lacks the implication of effort.

it came close to working

Focuses on the proximity to functionality or effectiveness.

it was a near success

Highlights the almost successful nature of the endeavor.

it narrowly failed

Shifts the focus to the failure while still acknowledging the close margin.

it just missed the mark

Uses a metaphorical expression to describe the failure to achieve the goal.

it was inches away from success

Emphasizes the minimal distance separating the attempt from success.

it was on the verge of working

Highlights the imminence of success before the eventual failure.

it fell short at the last moment

Focuses on the timing of the failure, occurring right before the potential success.

success was within reach

Emphasizes the attainability of success, making the failure more poignant.

it didn't quite pan out

Uses a more informal expression to indicate the lack of success.

FAQs

What does "it almost worked" mean?

The phrase "it almost worked" means that something nearly succeeded, but ultimately failed. It implies that the attempt came very close to achieving the desired result.

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

You can use "it almost worked" to describe a situation where an effort or plan nearly succeeded. For example: "I tried to fix the computer, and "it almost worked", but it still won't turn on."

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

You can use alternatives like "it nearly succeeded", "it came close to working", or "it was a near success" depending on the context.

Is "it almost worked" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it almost worked" is grammatically correct. The adverb "almost" correctly modifies the verb "worked", indicating the degree to which the action was completed.