nearly full

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly full" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is close to being completely filled, such as a container or a schedule. Example: "The glass was nearly full, just a few drops away from the brim."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Top tier nearly full.

The New York Times

Our prisons are nearly full.

The New Yorker

The previews have been nearly full.

The New York Times

And Avery Fisher Hall appeared nearly full.

The New York Times - Arts

The car park was nearly full.

The Economist

The auditorium was nearly full.

The New York Times - Arts

Also AmEx full and Discover nearly full.

The Guardian - Books

NOISE LEVEL -- Loud when nearly full.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Arena has a nearly full-strength roster.

The New York Times - Sports

Through our synthesis, we can obtain nearly full-coverage of single-layer graphene.

Carbon

Based on sequence identity, we selected alignments of five nearly full-length genome sequences.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing levels of completion or capacity, use "nearly full" to convey a sense of almost reaching the maximum without being completely there. This works well in both literal (e.g., "The glass is nearly full") and figurative (e.g., "The project is nearly full completed") contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "newly full" when you mean "nearly full". "Newly full" implies a recent filling, while "nearly full" describes a state of approaching complete capacity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly full" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is in a state approaching its maximum capacity. Ludwig AI shows examples ranging from physical containers to abstract concepts such as schedules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

24%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nearly full" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase that describes a state approaching maximum capacity. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness across various contexts, from news and media to scientific writing. While alternatives like "almost full" exist, "nearly full" offers a precise way to convey a sense of near completion without absolute certainty. Remember to avoid confusing it with "newly full", which has a different meaning. Its prevalence in authoritative sources solidifies its reliability in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost full

Indicates a state very close to being completely full, with a slightly more common usage than "nearly full".

essentially full

Similar to "virtually full", indicating the object is full for all intents and purposes.

close to full

Expresses proximity to being full, focusing on the state of being near capacity.

virtually full

Emphasizes that something is so close to full that it can be considered as such for practical purposes.

practically full

Similar to "virtually full", suggesting the difference from being completely full is negligible.

substantially full

Highlights that a large portion is filled, focusing on the quantity rather than the proximity to full capacity.

largely full

Similar to "substantially full", indicating a significant portion is occupied.

approximately full

Indicates an estimated state of fullness, implying a degree of uncertainty.

around full

Informal way of expressing that something is near full capacity, suitable for casual contexts.

roughly full

Similar to "approximately full", suggesting an estimation of the filled state.

FAQs

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

You can use "nearly full" to describe something that is close to being completely filled or utilized. For example, "The stadium was nearly full for the championship game" or "My schedule is nearly full for the next two weeks".

What are some alternatives to "nearly full"?

Some alternatives include "almost full", "close to full", or "virtually full". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "almost full" and "nearly full"?

While "almost full" and "nearly full" are often interchangeable, "almost full" may suggest a slightly higher degree of completion than "nearly full". The distinction is subtle, and either phrase is generally acceptable.

When is it appropriate to use "nearly full" instead of "completely full"?

Use "nearly full" when something is very close to its maximum capacity but not quite there. If it is at maximum capacity, "completely full" or simply "full" is more appropriate.