nearly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "nearly" is a perfectly acceptable word in written English.
It is typically used to refer to being close to completing a task or a certain amount. For example: "I have nearly finished reading the book."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At this point, he's up against nearly the whole Palin tribe: Palin women screaming.

The Guardian

The purpose of this project was to start a conversation with young people and engage them in making something – we now have nearly 50,000 of them to date.

The Guardian

"It didn't get the strongest winds in the eye wall but it certainly got a period of nearly three hours of sustained gale force winds and wind gusts in the 95 to 100km/h range".

The Guardian

It's not nearly as big a problem as the 40 percent of children who are born out of wedlock.

The New York Times

It's nearly impossible for consumers to evaluate how healthy a bank is.

The Economist

He's pouring nearly all our money into his darling academies.

The Guardian

Details of the payment emerged in a report by the public spending watchdog published on Wednesday, which revealed that senior managers at the BBC were paid nearly £2m more than they were contractually obliged to over a three-year period.

The Guardian

While serious independent journalism remains nearly impossible in Iran, the bureau is able to provide original reporting through its extensive list of contacts both inside and outside the republic, and to bring the voices of ordinary people to an international audience.

The Guardian

Nearly 1.9m Australians are affected by the minimum wage and the award minimum wage.

The Guardian

There weren't nearly enough seats, which indicates a Lib Dem commitment to providing their own electoral metaphors.

The Guardian

A cashier at Dushanbe's Abulkosim Lohuti Academic Theatre says the 500-seat hall is often nearly empty.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearly" to soften statements, especially when precision isn't crucial. For example, instead of saying "It cost $100", you can say "It cost nearly $100".

Common error

Avoid using "nearly" excessively in a single piece of writing, as it can diminish its impact. Vary your language with synonyms like "almost" or "approximately" for a more engaging and sophisticated tone.

How to use

Learn how to use "nearly" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The adverb "nearly" primarily functions as a qualifier, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate that something is close to being the case, but not quite. Ludwig AI supports this function, presenting numerous examples where "nearly" precedes adjectives like 'impossible' or 'empty' to soften the assertion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nearly" functions as an adverb to denote approximation, making it a versatile tool in everyday language. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used across various contexts, especially in news and media. While grammatically straightforward, be mindful of overuse and consider using synonyms like ""almost"" or ""approximately"" to enhance your writing style. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively use "nearly" to communicate with precision and nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost

A very close synonym, indicating something is just short of being the case.

practically

Suggests something is so close to being true that it has the same effect.

virtually

Similar to practically, but often used for situations that are not physically close but are close in effect.

close to

Indicates proximity in a more literal sense but can also apply to abstract quantities.

just about

Emphasizes that something is only slightly less than complete or true.

about

Indicates a general approximation without a strong emphasis on closeness.

around

Similar to 'about', suggesting an approximate quantity or time.

more or less

Suggests an approximation with some degree of uncertainty or variation.

approaching

Highlights the act of getting closer to a state, number, or condition.

in the vicinity of

Implies a broader, less precise approximation.

FAQs

How can I use "nearly" in a sentence?

You can use "nearly" to indicate that something is close to a particular state or quantity, such as "I am "nearly finished" with my work" or "The project is "nearly complete"".

What words are similar to "nearly"?

Synonyms for "nearly" include "almost", "practically", "virtually", and "approximately". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "nearly all" or "almost all"?

Both "nearly all" and "almost all" are correct and commonly used. They both mean 'very close to all', but 'almost' might be slightly more frequent in contemporary usage.

What is the difference between "nearly" and "closely"?

"Nearly" indicates approximation or a small difference from a certain point, while "closely" implies proximity or similarity. For example, "They are "nearly related"" suggests a distant relationship, whereas "They are "closely related"" indicates a strong familial connection.