it has almost been

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has almost been" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to an amount of time that has passed, or is just about to pass. Example: "It has almost been a year since I last saw my grandparents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

But the flowers are beautiful – it has almost been worth waiting 60 years to see one.

The Guardian

So much has happened, events have been so big, it has almost been too much for anyone to take in".

The Guardian

Because as much as I am dear friends with Simon and Piers it has almost been more fun without them.

The Guardian

These past few years, it has almost been possible to forget that the Yankees are a George Steinbrenner production.

The New York Times - Sports

It has almost been one year since Osama bin Laden was killed in his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, by a United States Navy SEAL team.

The New York Times

So, somewhere on the way to birds, the tail became so reduced in size that it has almost been totally lost.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

It had almost been expected from the start of the home-invasion trial: Death by lethal injection.

The New York Times

And it had almost been that long since anyone in the league, or even in town, paid attention to the Cavaliers.

The New York Times - Sports

This is generally how long it takes until the milk has almost been entirely absorbed.

WikiHow

It's a social history that has almost been forgotten".

Vice

If they lost, it would have almost been a day of mourning".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it has almost been" when you want to emphasize that a significant amount of time has passed, or when you're close to reaching a specific milestone or anniversary.

Common error

Avoid using "it has almost been" when referring to future events. This phrase is best suited for reflecting on durations that are nearing completion, not for anticipating future durations. For example say "it will almost be" to refer to future events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has almost been" functions as a temporal indicator, specifying that a certain duration or milestone is nearing completion. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts, such as marking anniversaries or assessing progress.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it has almost been" is a phrase used to indicate that a specific time period or milestone is approaching its end. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for general use. It is most commonly found in news and media, often used to mark anniversaries or significant dates. While versatile, it's crucial to use the correct tense to avoid confusion and maintain clarity in your writing. Using this phrase effectively helps to emphasize the passage of time and anticipate upcoming events. The phrase "it has almost been" may also be used to suggest that it has nearly been accomplished, or it is nearly a success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is nearly

Focuses on the proximity to a certain time or event.

it is just about

Shows that something is very close to being a certain way or time.

it is close to

Emphasizes the closeness to a specific duration or state.

it is not far from

Highlights that an event or time is not distant.

it is approaching

Highlights the ongoing movement towards a particular point in time.

it is nearing

Emphasizes the process of getting closer to a time or event.

it is practically

Conveys that something is virtually or effectively complete.

it is within sight of

Suggests that a goal or time is very near to being achieved.

it is on the verge of

Indicates that something is at the brink of happening or being completed.

the time is ripe for

Focuses on the fact that the conditions are nearly ideal for a certain event.

FAQs

How can I use "it has almost been" in a sentence?

You can use "it has almost been" to indicate that a certain period of time is nearing its end. For example, "It has almost been a year since we moved to this city".

What's a similar phrase to "it has almost been"?

Similar phrases include "it is nearly", "it is close to", or "it is approaching", all suggesting that a specific time or event is very close.

Is there a difference between "it has almost been" and "it will almost be"?

"It has almost been" refers to something nearing completion in the present or past, while "it will almost be" refers to something that will be nearing completion in the future. The former is retrospective, the latter prospective.

Can I use "it has almost been" for events other than time periods?

While primarily used for time, you can also use "it has almost been" to suggest nearing a particular state or condition. For example, "It has almost been a complete success", suggesting the project is close to achieving full success.