nearly said

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly said" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone almost expressed something but did not fully articulate it. Example: "She nearly said what she was thinking, but decided to keep it to herself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

I nearly said something else then," he told assembled press.

Independent

As the Bard nearly said, murder most fowl.

Independent

Even he himself needed him there, he nearly said.

The New York Times - Sports

As the great man Barroso (nearly) said: 'We shall overcome.'".

The Guardian

We nearly said goodbye to Horse Whisperer author Nicholas Evans after he was poisoned by mushrooms.

The Guardian - Books

But money doesn't talk, it swears, as Bob Dylan nearly said of the summer transfer window.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The rest is, as they nearly say, a 70ish-strong publication history.

The Guardian - Books

When the skew correlation is higher than 0.95, we can nearly say that the AT and CG skews change concomitantly.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Nearly 20 percent said they attended mass weekly, with nearly 40 percent volunteering that they prayed daily.

The New York Times

Nearly half said their experience as a student, about a quarter said a particular teacher or department, and about a sixth said experience prior to medical school.

BMC Medical Education

"Nearly!" Thompson said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearly said" to indicate that someone almost expressed something but ultimately didn't, often due to hesitation, second thoughts, or interruption.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly said" when you actually have a direct quote. This phrase is specifically for instances where the statement was implied but not fully articulated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly said" functions as a verb phrase, often used to modify a subject and indicating an action that was close to occurring. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nearly said" serves as a valuable tool for writers seeking to convey unspoken intentions or thoughts that hovered just beneath the surface. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and finds frequent usage across various reputable sources. This phrase effectively signals to readers that a statement was on the cusp of being expressed, adding a layer of subtlety and implication to the narrative. Whether in news reports from The Guardian or analyses from The New York Times, "nearly said" provides a succinct way to communicate an idea's near-articulation, enhancing the depth and texture of written expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost stated

Indicates a slight shift towards a more formal tone and focuses on the act of stating.

virtually expressed

Emphasizes the expression of the idea, even if not explicitly spoken.

practically uttered

Highlights the act of speaking but suggests the words were not fully formed or released.

came close to saying

Uses a more descriptive and less direct way of expressing the idea.

all but declared

Implies a strong intention to say something, stopping just short of a formal declaration.

almost voiced

Focuses on the vocalization aspect, suggesting the thought was nearly spoken aloud.

was on the verge of saying

Emphasizes the imminence of the statement, highlighting how close the speaker was to expressing it.

stopped short of saying

Highlights the action of halting the speech, emphasizing the deliberate choice not to say something.

hesitated to say

Focuses on the speaker's hesitation before speaking, suggesting uncertainty or reluctance.

considered saying

Indicates that the thought was entertained but ultimately not expressed, highlighting the internal deliberation.

FAQs

What does "nearly said" mean?

The phrase "nearly said" indicates that someone almost uttered or expressed something, but stopped short of actually saying it. It suggests the thought was close to being verbalized but was ultimately left unsaid.

What can I say instead of "nearly said"?

You can use alternatives like "almost stated", "practically uttered", or "came close to saying" depending on the context.

How is "nearly said" different from "actually said"?

"Nearly said" implies the statement was not fully expressed, while "actually said" indicates that the statement was indeed spoken or articulated. The key difference lies in whether the words were ultimately verbalized.

Is it appropriate to use "nearly said" in formal writing?

Yes, "nearly said" is appropriate for use in formal writing, especially in journalistic or analytical contexts where you are describing someone's unspoken thoughts or intentions. It adds a nuanced layer to the description.