nearly at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly at" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is close to a specific point or location, either physically or metaphorically. Example: "We are nearly at the finish line of this project, just a few more tasks to complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Victory was nearly at hand.

The New York Times

She fled him nearly at once".

The New York Times - Books

Airplanes passed nearly at eye level.

The New York Times

His fundraising is nearly at a standstill.

The Guardian - Opinion

Worse, all those things would happen nearly at once.

The New York Times

Seven arrived nearly at once, starting at 3 08 P.M.

The New Yorker

(The Canadian and American dollars are nearly at par).

The New York Times - Sports

(It is nearly at the 100,000-unit mark).

The New York Times

I don't think this story is nearly at an end".

The New York Times

He's nearly at the bottom of his coffee cup.

The Guardian - Film

There are mothers and grandmothers who are nearly at the end of their lives.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearly at" to indicate that something is in close proximity to a specific location, state, or level. It suggests that the final destination or goal is imminent.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly at" when a precise measurement is required. Opt for specific numbers or more exact quantifiers instead of using "nearly at" when describing quantities that should be definite.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly at" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to indicate proximity or nearness to a specific state, location, or level. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nearly at" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express proximity or nearness, suitable for various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly indicates that something is approaching a specific state, location, or level. While synonyms like "almost at" and "close to" exist, understanding the subtle differences can enhance the precision of your writing. This phrase is commonly found in news, media and scientific sources, use it to convey that something is in the process of reaching a particular point or condition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost reaching

Focuses on the act of approaching a destination or target.

close to achieving

Highlights the nearing of a goal or accomplishment.

on the verge of

Implies being very close to a significant event or change.

approaching

Emphasizes the continuous movement towards a point.

nearing

Similar to approaching, but can also suggest a state of mind or emotion.

in proximity to

Formal way of saying that something is located close to something else.

just about at

Informal way to express being very close to a location.

practically at

Highlights that it's very close as well, almost there.

virtually at

Similar to 'practically at' but suggests a hypothetical closeness.

drawing near to

A more literary or formal way to express the idea of approaching something.

FAQs

How can I use "nearly at" in a sentence?

Use "nearly at" to describe something that is close to a specific location, level, or state. For example, "The project is "nearly at completion"" or "We are "nearly at our destination"".

What phrases are similar to "nearly at"?

Synonyms for "nearly at" include "almost at", "close to", and "approaching". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "almost at" instead of "nearly at"?

Yes, "almost at" is a perfectly acceptable alternative to "nearly at". Both phrases convey a similar meaning of approaching or reaching a certain point.

What's the difference between "nearly at" and "exactly at"?

"Nearly at" indicates approximation or proximity, while "exactly at" signifies a precise location or point. "Nearly at" suggests that something is close but not quite there, whereas "exactly at" implies there is no deviation.