nearly able to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly able to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a close proximity to being capable of doing something. Example: "She was nearly able to finish the project on time, but a few unexpected issues arose."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Deneuve was 24 now, but the affliction of experience left her nearly able to be the mother to the woman from Cherbourg.

The Guardian - Film

It's a rather tall 33-inch standard seat height, which would usually be a challenge for my 32-inch inseam, but thanks to a narrow saddle I was nearly able to put my feet flat on the ground at stoplights.

The New York Times

Three members of the Presidium, Vyacheslav Molotov, Georgi M. Malenkov and Lazar Kaganovich, were nearly able to remove Khrushchev from power in 1957, but Khrushchev, with the help of Georgy Zhukov, the minister of defense, managed to turn the tables and have the three men removed from the Presidium.

The New York Times

Ritchie was nearly able to save the day for Eddie Howe's side, whipping in a cross which fellow substitute Ryan Fraser headed wide, and threatening Lee Grant's goal twice himself.

BBC

Virtual reality headsets—once they've sorted out the fact they currently make you feel a bit sick are nearly able to drop players into the thick of it.

Vice

Virtual reality headsets – once they've sorted out the fact they currently make you feel a bit sick – are nearly able to drop players into the thick of it.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"The book is a delight," enthused Erica Wagner in the Times, "and a reminder that... Shields was nearly always able to find the threads that bind us to each other or allow us to rediscover the meaning of our lives".

The Guardian - Books

The old Tiger was nearly always able to compartmentalize distractions and dominate even with limited preparation before majors.

Huffington Post

If the SNR was large (>15), the deconvolution algorithm was nearly always able to separate signal from noise (Fig.  2a).

Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering

Patients with grade 3 or 4 dysphagia are usually first palliated with either a stent or brachytherapy and are thereafter nearly always able to ingest tablets.

British Journal of Cancer

Nearly everyone was able to talk about a screenplay they were writing.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearly able to" to express that someone or something has almost reached the point of being capable of performing a specific action, but hasn't quite gotten there yet. It suggests a high degree of probability or likelihood.

Common error

Avoid replacing "nearly able to" with terms like "able to" or "capable of" if the action is not fully achieved. Ensure the context accurately reflects the degree of completion or ability before using stronger affirmative language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly able to" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an implied verb, typically a form of "be". It describes the subject's state as being on the cusp of achieving a certain capability or action. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nearly able to" is used to express proximity to achieving a specific action or capability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently employed across a range of reputable sources, notably in news media. While alternatives such as "almost capable of" or "close to being able to" exist, "nearly able to" offers a concise way to communicate a sense of expectancy and potential. When using the phrase, it is important to ensure that the context aligns with a situation close to accomplishment; premature use of stronger terms should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost capable of

Replaces "nearly" with "almost", slightly reducing the emphasis on proximity.

close to being able to

Offers a more descriptive alternative, emphasizing the proximity to capability.

on the verge of being able to

Highlights the imminence of achieving the ability.

not far from being able to

Emphasizes the short distance to full capability.

approaching the ability to

Focuses on the process of gaining the ability, rather than the current state.

nearing the capacity to

Similar to 'approaching', but emphasizes the full capacity rather than just the ability.

just about able to

Emphasizes a minimal level of capability, barely sufficient.

virtually capable of

Indicates capability in almost every practical sense, though perhaps not fully.

becoming capable of

Highlights the ongoing process of developing the ability.

potentially able to

Shifts the focus to the potential for capability, rather than the current state.

FAQs

How can I use "nearly able to" in a sentence?

Use "nearly able to" to indicate that someone or something is very close to achieving a certain capability or action. For example, "The company was nearly able to meet its quarterly goals, but fell slightly short."

What are some alternatives to saying "nearly able to"?

You can use alternatives like "almost capable of", "close to being able to", or "on the verge of being able to" to convey a similar meaning.

Is there a subtle difference between "nearly able to" and "almost able to"?

While very similar, "nearly able to" might imply a slightly greater degree of progress or likelihood than "almost able to". However, in most contexts, they are interchangeable.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "nearly able to"?

Avoid using "nearly able to" if the capability or action is far from being achieved. This phrase is best suited when the goal is very close to being realized.