nearly being

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly being" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state that is close to occurring or a condition that is almost achieved. Example: "She was nearly being overwhelmed by the amount of work she had to complete before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Read on to learn about 6 famous artists who were "rediscovered" after nearly being forgotten.

Britannica

They are low-key, subtle and understated to the point of actually very nearly being asleep.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The ship on the matchbox is nearly being overtaken by a spreading stars and stripes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Our satellite phone was confiscated and our cameras, after nearly being impounded, were painstakingly "registered".

The New York Times

Tsvangirai has survived beatings, arrests and assassination attempts, including nearly being thrown from a 10th-floor window.

The Guardian

Every story also features Tennison nearly being done in by the interference, penny pinching and political maneuvering of her bosses.

The New York Times - Arts

Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway finished second,.23 of a second behind Innerhofer, after nearly being bucked off the track.

The New York Times - Sports

We might also be without General Motors, which became an industrial powerhouse only after nearly being foreclosed on twice.

The New Yorker

Courteous and thoughtful, he took me through his recollections of nearly being lost to the crowd in Tottenham.

The Guardian

Eventually, Presto, after nearly being killed, gives Alec his carrot and equal billing at their next appearance.

The Guardian - Film

Three times, I have been brushed off by the police when reporting suspicious behavior, like nearly being attacked by a homeless man.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearly being" to convey a sense of imminence or potential, particularly when describing events that were narrowly avoided. For example, "The company avoided collapse by nearly being acquired by a larger firm."

Common error

Avoid using "nearly being" interchangeably with phrases that imply certainty. "Nearly being" indicates something almost happened; using it where something did happen creates inaccuracy. For example, it's incorrect to say 'He was nearly being elected' if he was elected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly being" functions as a modifier, indicating a state that is close to occurring. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is used to describe the state that is close to occurring or a condition that is almost achieved. For example, "She was nearly being overwhelmed by the amount of work."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nearly being" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a state that almost occurred but didn't fully materialize. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to highlight proximity to an event or condition. When writing, remember that "nearly being" implies the state didn't actually happen, differentiating it from phrases that suggest completion or certainty. Consider alternatives like "almost being" or "on the verge of being" to add subtle nuances to your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost being

Simple synonym with minimal change to structure.

close to being

Replaces 'nearly' with 'close to', indicating a similar level of approximation.

on the verge of being

Emphasizes being at the very edge of a particular state.

verging on being

Expresses a strong tendency toward a certain state.

bordering on being

Suggests something is so close to being something else it almost is.

nearing being

Focuses on the approach of a state.

about to be

Focuses on immediacy, indicating something is imminently happening.

on the point of being

Emphasizes the precise moment before something occurs.

just about being

Highlights the narrow margin by which something almost occurs.

on the brink of being

Suggests a precarious situation where something is close to happening, especially something negative.

FAQs

What does "nearly being" mean?

The phrase "nearly being" suggests that a state or event was very close to occurring but did not actually happen. It emphasizes proximity to a certain condition without it fully materializing.

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

Use "nearly being" to describe a situation where something was on the verge of happening. For example, "The project failed after "nearly being completed"" indicates the project came close to completion but ultimately did not succeed.

Are there alternatives to using "nearly being"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "almost being", "close to being", or "on the verge of being" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For instance, "almost being" is a direct substitute, while "on the verge of being" implies greater imminence.

Is "nearly being" the same as "about to be"?

While both phrases indicate something is approaching, "nearly being" suggests a sense of potential without certainty, whereas "about to be" implies a higher degree of imminence and expectation. For example, "The cake was "nearly being burnt"" suggests it was close to burning, but "The cake was about to be served" suggests it would be served very soon.