nearly one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an approximate quantity or time that is close to one, often in contexts like age, time, or numerical values. Example: "The project is nearly one year behind schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Nearly one million Afghans are internally displaced.

The Guardian

The test was continued for nearly one year.

Cement and Concrete Composites

U.S. Jobless Claims Highest In Nearly One Year.

Forbes

-- nearly one year ago.

Huffington Post

Nearly one in ten died.

Huffington Post

Nearly one half of women were nulliparous.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Nearly, one-fourth provided brochures on the topic.

BMC Family Practice

Nearly one-tenth died within a month.

The New York Times - Science

Nearly one-third of the population lives in poverty.

The New York Times

Hindus constitute nearly one-fourth of the population.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mangrove swamps cover nearly one-third of the land area.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nearly one", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being approximated. Providing specific units or a range can improve clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly one" when a more precise figure is readily available. If accuracy is crucial, provide the exact value instead of an approximation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly one" functions as an adjectival modifier, typically quantifying or approximating a noun. It modifies a subsequent noun to indicate a quantity close to one, but not exactly one. As Ludwig AI states, this is totally fine.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nearly one" serves as an adjectival modifier to provide an approximation, commonly used in contexts where precise figures are not critical. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various registers, especially in news, scientific, and encyclopedic content. It is more frequent to find it in scientific context. While alternatives like "almost one" and "close to one" exist, "nearly one" offers a versatile way to express proximity to the number one, making it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary. While "nearly one" is considered valid, always consider if a more precise value would be better. If accuracy is not critical, the phrase works as intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost one

This alternative directly replaces "nearly" with "almost", indicating a close approximation.

close to one

Expresses proximity to the number one, focusing on nearness.

approximately one

Indicates an estimated value, suggesting it is not exactly one but very similar.

just under one

Highlights that the value is slightly less than one.

not quite one

Similar to 'just under one', it indicates that the value has not reached one.

in the vicinity of one

More formal way of saying close to one, implying a range around the number one.

about one

A simple and direct way of approximating the number one.

virtually one

Suggests the value is so close to one that it can be considered as such for practical purposes.

practically one

Similar to 'virtually one', emphasizing that the difference is insignificant in practice.

nearing one

Implies a progression towards the number one, suggesting it is approaching that value.

FAQs

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

You can use "nearly one" to indicate an amount or quantity that is close to, but not exactly, one. For example, "The project is "nearly one" year behind schedule."

What are some alternatives to saying "nearly one"?

Alternatives include "almost one", "close to one", or "approximately one", depending on the level of precision you want to convey.

Is it more accurate to say "almost one" or "nearly one"?

Both "nearly one" and "almost one" are generally interchangeable and have a similar meaning. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific context.

When should I avoid using the phrase "nearly one"?

Avoid using "nearly one" when precision is critical. If the exact number is known and relevant, it's better to provide the specific figure rather than an approximation. However, in most cases it is totally fine as stated by Ludwig AI.