nearly right

USAGE SUMMARY

"nearly right" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is almost correct or accurate, but not quite perfect. Example: "Your essay is nearly right, but you should double-check your citations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

You're nearly right.

Independent

He was nearly right.

The New York Times

He was jolly nearly right.

The Guardian

And he was very nearly right.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Dirac equation predicts g=-2, whish is nearly right.

The Guardian

The forecasts did not always get it right, or even nearly right.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Anisotropic etching was performed to generate a nanopillar profile with nearly right-angled edges.

Nanoscale Research Letters

"But no, the electorate, like juries, are nearly always right, and they were right in 2010 to boot us out.

The Guardian

Instead, I nearly walked right past Kreisler's grave.

The New York Times - Arts

Hands: 4. The hands are very nearly the right size.

The Guardian - Film

| July 24 at 2: The production of Offenbach's "Orpheus in the Underworld" gets nearly everything right.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "nearly right" with specific details about what aspects are correct and what need improvement to provide constructive feedback.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly right" when a higher degree of precision is expected or required. In contexts demanding exactness, opting for phrases that acknowledge the need for further refinement is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly right" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a state of approximate correctness. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts, from assessing predictions to describing physical attributes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nearly right" is a common and versatile way to describe something that is close to accurate but not perfectly so. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts. It functions as an adjectival phrase, often used to provide constructive feedback or temper expectations. While appropriate in most situations, more precise language may be preferred in highly formal settings. The phrase's frequency and consistent usage across authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times underscore its reliability and usefulness in expressing approximate correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost correct

Replaces "nearly" with "almost", suggesting a very slight deviation from correctness.

pretty accurate

Uses "pretty" to soften the assertion of accuracy, implying a good but not perfect level.

largely accurate

Emphasizes the substantial portion that is accurate, rather than the small inaccuracy.

mostly correct

Focuses on the majority being correct, similar to "largely accurate".

virtually correct

Suggests an almost complete correctness, with any deviations being negligible.

close to the mark

An idiomatic expression indicating a near achievement of a goal or correct answer.

not far off

Informal way of saying something is close to being right or accurate.

approaching accuracy

Highlights the process of becoming accurate, rather than a state of being nearly there.

in the ballpark

An idiom meaning within an acceptable range or approximation.

on the right track

Implies being on the correct path, though not necessarily currently accurate.

FAQs

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

You can use "nearly right" to describe something that is almost accurate or correct, but not entirely so. For example, "Your answer is "nearly right", but you need to consider this additional factor."

What's a more formal alternative to "nearly right"?

In more formal contexts, you might use phrases like "largely accurate" or "substantially correct" to convey a similar meaning with a higher degree of formality.

Is "nearly right" always a positive statement?

The phrase ""nearly right"" isn't inherently positive or negative; its connotation depends on context. It acknowledges a degree of correctness while implying a need for improvement or further refinement. The impact is determined by how you frame the phrase.

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

Both ""nearly right"" and "almost right" are grammatically correct and convey essentially the same meaning. The choice often depends on stylistic preference or the specific nuance you wish to emphasize.