nearly consumed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly consumed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is almost completely used up or depleted. Example: "The resources were nearly consumed by the end of the project, leaving little for future use."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Then the city nearly consumed him; there were bouts with alcohol and drugs.

The New York Times - Sports

Harriet, her mouth a permanent frown, is nearly consumed by worry and fatigue.

The New York Times

It scrambled to find its cast, limped through its earliest seasons and was nearly consumed by infighting among its stars.

The New York Times - Arts

His identity and his past both seem to him matters of dislocation, and the resulting laxness has nearly consumed him.

The New Yorker

Thus you behold Kandor in pristine miniature under glass and, in the videos, the chaos that nearly consumed it.

The New York Times - Arts

He was raped when he was a boy, and says that, as a result, feelings of "homosexual lust and desire" grew in him, and nearly consumed him.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Swimming pools nearly consume entire backyards.

The New York Times

The bold parrot-and-leaf print on a bedspread that nearly consumes a guest room fairly shrieks at the unperturbed Bertoia wire chairs that face it.

The New York Times

Keeping Things Sparse Naïveté is swallowed whole in "B-Happy," a title that contrasts with the degradations that befall and nearly consume the heroine of this melodrama by Gonzalo Justiniano.

The New York Times

He is nearly as consumed with his work as she is with hers, and they have been cast for their traffic-stopping good looks.

The New York Times

These B-GLFs provided a stable Pt catalyst support and electrode over 40 h operation in SAFCs with cesium dihydrogen phosphate electrolyte operating at 250 °C, as opposed to undoped GLFs or SWCNHs which were nearly completely consumed.

Carbon

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nearly consumed", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being depleted or used up, and the implications of its near-complete consumption. For example, "The forest was nearly consumed by the fire", clearly illustrating the impact of the fire.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly consumed" when the subject is only partially affected. Instead, reserve the phrase for situations where the subject is on the brink of being completely used up or destroyed. It is less appropriate to say 'The bread was nearly consumed' if only a slice was eaten.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly consumed" functions primarily as a verbal phrase, typically in the passive voice. It describes a state where something is close to being completely used up or depleted. Ludwig examples illustrate this, indicating a state of near-total consumption.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nearly consumed" describes a state of near-complete depletion or usage, as validated by Ludwig. It's grammatically sound and most frequently found in news and scientific contexts. While "nearly consumed" is straightforward, related phrases like "almost depleted" or "virtually exhausted" can provide alternative ways to express similar ideas. When using "nearly consumed", ensure the context is appropriate and that you’re accurately portraying the extent of depletion. The Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and provides examples for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly exhausted

Replaces "consumed" with "exhausted", suggesting a loss of energy or resources.

almost depleted

Replaces "consumed" with "depleted", focusing on the reduction of resources.

virtually exhausted

Substitutes "nearly consumed" with "virtually exhausted", indicating a near-complete state of depletion.

practically used up

Replaces the original phrase with a more explicit description of being close to finished.

largely depleted

Emphasizes the extent of depletion rather than the act of consuming.

substantially diminished

Focuses on the significant reduction of something, implying it's almost consumed.

almost finished

Focuses on the state of being completed or finalized, similar to being fully consumed.

close to being gone

Indicates that something is approaching a state of non-existence or unavailability.

approaching complete use

Describes the process of nearing full consumption or usage.

on the verge of depletion

Highlights the imminence of something being completely used up.

FAQs

What does "nearly consumed" mean?

The phrase "nearly consumed" means that something has been almost completely used up, depleted, or destroyed. It implies that very little of the original substance or resource remains.

What can I say instead of "nearly consumed"?

You can use alternatives like "almost depleted", "virtually exhausted", or "practically used up" depending on the specific context.

How to use "nearly consumed" in a sentence?

You can use "nearly consumed" to describe a resource, object, or even a feeling that is close to being fully depleted. For example: "The fuel was nearly consumed after the long journey." or "His strength was nearly consumed by worry."

Is there a difference between "nearly consumed" and "completely consumed"?

Yes, "nearly consumed" indicates that the process is not yet complete; a small amount remains. "Completely consumed" means that nothing is left, it's entirely used up or destroyed.