nearly tangible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly tangible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is almost perceptible or real, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The tension in the room was nearly tangible as everyone awaited the announcement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Time is an active presence, a nearly tangible entity.

The New York Times - Books

Trout lilies and hyacinths bloom along the paths, their sweetness nearly tangible in the dark".

The New York Times - Books

What that material reveals is the quality of the listening among the players, an abstract ideal made nearly tangible.

The New York Times - Arts

Jemma, who was delicately pretty at the beginning of the year, still is, but she has lost something nearly tangible and replaced it with a ghostly expression, the kind the permanently haunted wear; she twitches at the possibility of yet another request for a further piece of coursework.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"The hypocrisy is almost tangible".

The New York Times - Sports

The experience is almost tangible.

The Guardian - Film

It may be in the nature of heaven that a movie whose timeline is set before and after death will seem to have lost its momentum once death has come -- the afterlife, for all our musings, has never seemed nearly as tangible or interesting as the real world.

Huffington Post

Yet in investment banking there is nothing nearly so tangible to which to ascribe the gains.Bankers themselves are fuzzy about explaining their trading profits, bandying about phrases such as "deploying our intellectual capital".

The Economist

Many families of those on board, who have waited nearly 17 months for tangible evidence, were fed up with the mixed messages.

Independent

Many of the passengers' relatives, who have waited nearly 17 months for tangible evidence, said they were fed up with the mixed messages.

The Guardian

With those tangible changes nearly in place and a financial outlay that ended up being close to $300 million on the line, club officials talked often about the need to find lasting relevance in the community.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearly tangible" to describe abstract concepts, feelings, or atmospheres that are so intense they feel almost physically present. This adds depth and sensory detail to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly tangible" to describe objects that are actually physical. The phrase works best when applied to non-physical things that have a strong, almost physical impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly tangible" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying nouns to indicate a quality that is almost perceptible or real. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and examples show it describing abstract concepts like time, sweetness, or qualities of listening.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nearly tangible" is a grammatically correct and useful way to describe something that is almost physically perceptible, even if it is abstract. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for use in formal and informal contexts, especially in News & Media. When using "nearly tangible", remember that it is better applied to non-physical phenomena that feel intensely real, and synonyms like ""almost palpable"" or "virtually concrete" can be used for a similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost palpable

Emphasizes the feeling or sensation being readily perceived, differing slightly from "nearly tangible" by focusing on sensation.

virtually concrete

Suggests something is practically real or definite, moving closer to actual existence than "nearly tangible".

practically perceptible

Highlights the capacity to be noticed or understood, putting focus on being detectable.

close to reality

Indicates proximity to being factual or genuine, shifting away from the sensory aspect of "nearly tangible".

bordering on real

Implies the state of almost being real, emphasizing a transition point.

verging on tangible

Suggests an inclination towards becoming tangible, stressing the movement towards physicality.

approaching tangibility

Focuses on the process of becoming tangible, with an emphasis on the ongoing movement.

nearing materialization

Highlights the process of something becoming material or physical, deviating slightly from the broader sense of "nearly tangible".

akin to a physical presence

Compares something to a physical presence, emphasizing its strength and impact on the perception.

tantamount to real

Indicates something is virtually equivalent to being real, focusing more on consequence or effect.

FAQs

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

You can use "nearly tangible" to describe things that are not physical but are felt very strongly. For example, "The anticipation in the room was "almost palpable", making the tension "nearly tangible"".

What phrases are similar to "nearly tangible"?

Some phrases similar to "nearly tangible" include ""almost palpable"", "virtually concrete", or "practically perceptible".

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

Yes, "nearly tangible" can be used in formal writing. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and can be found in sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

What's the difference between "nearly tangible" and "tangible"?

"Tangible" refers to something that can be physically touched or perceived, whereas "nearly tangible" describes something that is so intense or real that it feels as if it could be touched, even if it cannot. Therefore, "nearly tangible" indicates something is "close to reality", but not quite.