nearly born

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly born" is not commonly used in written English and may be considered awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts discussing something that is just about to be born or created, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "The idea for the project was nearly born during our brainstorming session last week."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"I was nearly born on the front porch".

The New York Times

Nearly born the same day at the same place!

The Guardian

Of course, Bellow was nearly born in St . Petersburg as Saul Belov.

The Guardian - Books

"Do you understand that you were nearly born in jail?" Nelson Mandela once wrote to his daughter, Zenani.

The Guardian

"Do you understand that you were nearly born in prison?" Then he summoned a more painful memory, telling Zeni of one of the last times he had seen her.

The New Yorker

His own seriousness had, I think, a Russian flavour (he was nearly born in St Petersburg, but his family emigrated to Canada just three years before his birth in 1915).

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Just shy of half all Ugandans are under the age of 15, nearly all born since Mr. Museveni became president.

The New York Times

Nationwide, some 105 babies of nearly four million born in 1998 were found abandoned in public places; 33 infants were found dead, according to the federal Department of Health and Human Services.

The New York Times

Even the titles are nearly indistinguishable — "Born to Ski," "Escape to Ski," "Ski People," "Ski Time"— and, more recently, "Vertical Reality" and "Higher Ground".

The New York Times

But great platforms are nearly always born from companies first creating great products with narrow, but compelling use cases.

TechCrunch

Not unusual for me or America, but I'm nearly 37 (born June 28 , 1975.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearly born" to add a touch of unique expression, but be mindful of potential ambiguity. Ensure the context makes your intended meaning clear.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly born" excessively in formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound informal or imprecise. Opt for more direct and widely accepted alternatives in these contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly born" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing a noun (person, thing, or concept) that is close to being born or coming into existence. Ludwig examples show its usage across various contexts, though Ludwig AI suggests it is not a standard expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nearly born" describes something or someone close to being born, literally or figuratively. While grammatically sound, Ludwig AI notes it's not a standard expression. Usage is common in news and media, science, and business contexts. Consider alternatives like "almost born" or "about to be born" for clarity in more formal settings. While "nearly born" isn't incorrect, be mindful of the potential for ambiguity and ensure your intended meaning is clear. Ludwig examples illustrate the range of contexts in which it can be used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost born

Slightly more common and direct synonym, emphasizing the proximity to birth.

all but born

Indicates that something is very close to being born.

just about to be born

A more descriptive and literal alternative, focusing on the immediacy of birth.

on the verge of being born

Similar to "just about to be born" but with a slightly more figurative nuance.

close to being born

A more general phrase indicating nearness to birth.

in the process of being born

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the birth process.

nearing birth

A more concise way to express the approach of birth.

virtually born

Emphasizes a strong association with a place or time from birth, though not literally born there.

practically born

Implies that someone spent so much time in the place, as they were born there.

about to come into existence

A broader phrase applicable to things beyond literal birth, like ideas or projects.

FAQs

What does "nearly born" mean?

"Nearly born" means close to being born, either literally or figuratively. It suggests that something or someone was on the verge of existence.

What can I say instead of "nearly born"?

You can use alternatives like "almost born", "about to be born", or "virtually born" depending on the context.

Is "nearly born" grammatically correct?

Yes, "nearly born" is grammatically correct, although it's not the most common phrase. It follows standard English grammar rules.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "nearly born"?

"Nearly born" can be used in both literal contexts (referring to a baby) and figurative contexts (referring to the creation of something), but it's generally better suited for informal or creative writing.