nearly finished

USAGE SUMMARY

"nearly finished" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something is close to being done, but not quite finished. For example, "I'm nearly finished with my project, I just need to tie up a few loose ends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Only a fragment of Beckett is actually spoken in May B – the opening line from Endgame "Finished, it's finished, nearly finished, it must be nearly finished".

The Guardian

Nearly finished.

Harvard University

Kadima is nearly finished.

The New York Times

Nearly finished at sunset.

Harvard University

Some are nearly finished.

The New York Times

Had the nearly finished agreement fallen apart?

The New York Times

THE NEW YORKER: We're nearly finished.

The New Yorker

But it is now nearly finished.

The Economist

My new writing shed is nearly finished.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nareabouts means nearly there or nearly finished.

The Guardian - Books

Conference Has he nearly finished yet?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearly finished" to convey a sense of progress and impending completion, especially when providing updates or managing expectations. For example, "The report is nearly finished, and I expect to submit it by tomorrow."

Common error

Avoid using "nearly finished" when something is actually complete. Ensure you accurately represent the status of a task or project to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly finished" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a state of near completion. Ludwig AI examples showcase its usage in describing projects, tasks, and processes that are approaching their final stages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nearly finished" is a versatile adjective phrase used to indicate that something is close to completion. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various domains, including news, academia, and science. When using this phrase, ensure that you accurately represent the remaining work to avoid confusion. Related phrases such as "almost complete" and "virtually done" offer similar meanings, providing flexibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost complete

Focuses on the completion aspect, emphasizing the small amount of work remaining.

virtually done

Implies that the task is so close to completion that it is as good as finished.

close to completion

Highlights the proximity to the finished state without specifying a definite time.

nearing completion

Emphasizes the process of getting closer to being finished.

practically completed

Similar to 'virtually done', but emphasizes the practical aspect of completion.

on the verge of completion

Suggests that the final stage is imminent.

approaching the end

Shifts focus to the final part of a task or process.

drawing to a close

More formal and literary way of expressing nearing completion.

in the home stretch

An idiomatic expression, borrowing from racing, indicating the final phase.

just about wrapped up

Informal way to express something is almost finished.

FAQs

How to use "nearly finished" in a sentence?

You can use "nearly finished" to describe something that is close to completion. For example, "The renovation is "nearly finished", we just need to paint the walls."

What can I say instead of "nearly finished"?

You can use alternatives like "almost complete", "virtually done", or "close to completion" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "nearly finished" or "almost finished"?

Both "nearly finished" and "almost finished" are correct and can be used interchangeably in many situations. The choice often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.

What's the difference between "nearly finished" and "completely finished"?

"Nearly finished" implies that something is close to being done but still requires some work, while "completely finished" means that the task is entirely done and requires no further attention.