nearly safe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly safe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that is close to being safe but not entirely so. Example: "The bridge is nearly safe for use, but engineers recommend caution until all repairs are completed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Buttler c Sammy b Santokie 3 (England 128-4) Withethe wind a-blowing, Buttler hits the ball so high he's nearly safe.

The Guardian - Sport

But the voters took care of that for them, and now the Republicans — in the Texas House in particular — have to figure out how to draw safe or nearly safe districts for their incumbents.

The New York Times

Bangkok is very safe or as nearly safe as it usually is.

Forbes

We are nearly safe and can get the planning done for next season, we can start penciling some things in.

BBC

This study can suggest that administration of high doses of Jujube (up 5000 mg/kg) and Saffron (up 2000 mg/kg) are nearly safe, also did not exert hepato and nephrotoxicity in rats.

Clinical Phytoscience

AFC Wimbledon manager Terry Brown told BBC London 94.9: "We've had three consecutive wins at home and that's made the difference between us being not in great jeopardy and nearly safe.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

And what were they doing in the bush at five-thirty in the afternoon, when the light isn't nearly good enough for safe hunting?

The New Yorker

James Herbert felt like a fixture of the British horror scene, our version of Stephen King – perhaps not as prolific in recent years as the American author, but picking up a new book from our master of scares, you knew you were in good hands (I nearly wrote safe hands there – but nothing felt particularly safe when reading a Herbert novel).

The Guardian - Books

Other options are not nearly as safe.

The New York Times

We aren't nearly as safe as we could be, two Stanford GSB finance experts find.

Stanford University

Triple-A securities are considered nearly as safe as Treasury bonds issued by the federal government.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nearly safe", consider the context to clarify the degree of remaining risk. For example, "The building is "nearly safe" after the initial inspection, but a follow-up is scheduled to address minor code violations."

Common error

Avoid using "nearly safe" when the situation is far from secure. This can mislead people into a false sense of security. Use it only when the risk is demonstrably low but not entirely eliminated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly safe" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing a state or condition that approaches safety but does not fully achieve it. This is confirmed by Ludwig, which suggests the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nearly safe" is a grammatically correct adjectival modifier that communicates a state approaching complete safety, acknowledging the presence of some residual risk. As Ludwig highlights, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly News & Media and Science. While similar phrases such as "almost secure" and "virtually harmless" exist, "nearly safe" strikes a balance between reassurance and transparency. When using this phrase, carefully consider the degree of remaining risk to avoid misleading your audience. Overall, "nearly safe" offers a valuable way to express a qualified assessment of safety in situations where absolute certainty is impossible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost secure

Emphasizes the security aspect more directly than "safe".

close to secure

Directly conveys the idea of approaching a state of security.

virtually harmless

Implies minimal risk or danger. Focuses on the lack of harmful effects.

practically protected

Highlights the protective measures in place, suggesting near-complete protection.

relatively risk-free

Indicates a low level of risk compared to other options.

just about safe

Suggests safety is barely achieved or maintained.

borderline secure

Indicates a state of security that is almost achieved but not definitively so.

nearing safety

Implies a process of becoming safe, but not fully there yet.

almost out of danger

Focuses on escaping danger rather than achieving safety.

getting close to safety

Emphasizes the progression toward a safe state.

FAQs

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

You can use "nearly safe" to describe situations that are close to being secure but not completely so. For example, "The vaccine is considered "nearly safe" after preliminary trials, but more extensive testing is needed."

What phrases are similar to "nearly safe"?

Alternatives to "nearly safe" include "almost secure", "virtually harmless", or "relatively risk-free", depending on the specific context.

Is "nearly safe" the same as "completely safe"?

No, "nearly safe" indicates a situation where risks are significantly reduced but not entirely eliminated, whereas "completely safe" implies there are no remaining risks whatsoever. They are not interchangeable.

When is it appropriate to use "nearly safe" instead of "safe"?

Use "nearly safe" when you want to acknowledge that some minimal risk still exists. This is more transparent and accurate than simply stating "safe" if conditions aren't perfect.