nearly two weeks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly two weeks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time duration that is close to, but not quite, two weeks. Example: "I have been waiting for nearly two weeks for a response to my application."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nearly two weeks.

The Guardian

It took nearly two weeks to finish.

The New York Times

It had taken him nearly two weeks to reach Washington.

The New Yorker

For nearly two weeks, O'Neal has not granted any interviews.

The New York Times - Sports

They have not done that in nearly two weeks.

The New York Times - Sports

That doesn't count deals made stretching back nearly two weeks.

The Guardian - Sport

This time, it gave her nearly two weeks' warning.

The New York Times

The result remained in doubt for nearly two weeks.

The New York Times

Mehdi has not seen his brothers for nearly two weeks.

The Guardian

Jeffries said the knee had been sore for nearly two weeks.

The New York Times - Sports

He spent nearly two weeks there for what was officially described as treatment for cardiovascular problems.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nearly two weeks", ensure the context makes it clear whether the time frame is slightly shorter or longer than two weeks. For example, "The project took nearly two weeks, extending a few days past the initial estimate."

Common error

Avoid using "nearly two weeks" when precision is required. If the exact duration is critical, specify the precise number of days or use a more accurate phrase like "thirteen days" or "just under two weeks".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly two weeks" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the duration of an event or state. It specifies an approximate duration, suggesting a period close to but not exactly two weeks. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nearly two weeks" is a common and acceptable way to express an approximate duration of time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various sources, primarily in news and media. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the context and whether a more precise duration is required. Alternatives such as "almost a fortnight" or "around two weeks" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality or emphasis. Understanding these nuances will allow for more effective and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost a fortnight

Replaces the numerical reference with a more formal, less common term for two weeks.

close to a fortnight

Similar to "almost a fortnight", but emphasizes approximation to the duration.

around two weeks

Offers a more general estimation, slightly less precise than "nearly two weeks".

approximately two weeks

Indicates an estimated time frame of around two weeks.

about two weeks

A common and simple way to express an approximate duration.

in the vicinity of two weeks

A more formal and somewhat verbose way to express an approximate duration.

just under two weeks

Emphasizes that the duration is slightly less than two weeks.

a little less than two weeks

More descriptive, clarifying the duration is just shy of the full two weeks.

ten to fourteen days

Specifies a range of days that approximates "nearly two weeks".

over a week and a half

Provides a less common but understandable way to refer to a duration close to two weeks.

FAQs

What does "nearly two weeks" mean?

The phrase "nearly two weeks" means a period of time that is close to, but not exactly, two weeks. It suggests a duration slightly less than or, less frequently, slightly more than fourteen days.

What can I say instead of "nearly two weeks"?

You can use alternatives like "almost a fortnight", "around two weeks", or "approximately two weeks" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "almost two weeks" or "nearly two weeks"?

Both "almost two weeks" and "nearly two weeks" are correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific tone you want to convey. "Almost" might sound slightly more informal.

How precise is the phrase "nearly two weeks"?

The phrase "nearly two weeks" is not highly precise. It indicates an approximation. For more accurate durations, specify the exact number of days. For instance, use "13 days" instead of "nearly two weeks" if you need to be precise.