nearly worn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly worn" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is almost worn out or showing signs of significant use. Example: "The shoes were nearly worn, with scuff marks and frayed laces."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

She "has nearly worn herself out going at his rattling pace," he added.

The New Yorker

They were nearly worn through to the wood, so he didn't have to have them sanded.

The New York Times

After he had spent the summer mapping future trails, Mr. Leman's new boots were nearly worn out.

The New York Times - Travel

I'd nearly worn out the CD of Miranda's 1930's samba recordings that I'd picked up on an earlier Brazilian jaunt.

The New York Times - Travel

The story is simple: Zéphyre falls in love with Cloris (Rebecca Choate Beasley), who has taken a vow of chastity; he has nearly worn her down when Diana (Lianne Coble) appears with the handsome Endymion and allows the pairing.

The New York Times - Arts

Among the digerati, picking apart fact from fiction and debating the fairness of Mr. Zuckerberg's acerbic portrayal have saturated sites like Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook, and nearly worn out their welcome as conversation starters tossed out over beers at the end of a tiring day.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"I nearly wore a blue jumper underneath my slightly tweedy jacket.

The Guardian

Mechelle Voepel of ESPN.com tried really hard to imagine any other scenario and nearly wears herself out doing it.

The New York Times - Sports

The actors all struggle — Mr. Highmore nearly wears himself out trying to accomplish something like what Nicolas Cage did in "Adaptation" — but to no clear purpose.

The New York Times

The first 20 pages or so of Jincy Willett's mischievously titled novel are so entertaining they nearly wear you out.

The New York Times - Books

"A simple shoe just doesn't speak to me anymore," she said, adding that during the recent European fashion shows she nearly wore the heels off her new Altuzarra tropical-print pumps.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nearly worn", ensure the context makes it clear what item is being described and what kind of wear is evident. This provides a clearer picture for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using multiple adverbs to modify "worn" when "nearly worn" already conveys the intended meaning. For example, avoid saying "very nearly worn" as it can sound redundant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly worn" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate the degree to which an object has been used and is approaching a state of being completely worn out. Ludwig examples show its use across various contexts to describe the condition of items.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Wiki

14%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nearly worn" is a grammatically correct and neutrally-registered descriptive adjective phrase used to indicate that an item is close to being worn out. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and offers contexts from News & Media and Wiki sources, among others. Alternatives include phrases like "almost depleted" or "close to being worn out". When using this phrase, clarity is crucial; ensure the item being described is evident and the type of wear is specified.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close to being worn out

A more verbose way of saying the same thing, adding emphasis on future wear.

showing significant wear and tear

A more descriptive phrase that highlights the visible signs of use.

almost depleted

Focuses on the depletion aspect rather than the physical wear.

almost unusable

Emphasizes the reduced functionality due to wear.

practically used up

Emphasizes the idea of being close to the end of its usable life.

nearing the end of its life

Focuses on the remaining lifespan of the object.

on its last legs

An idiomatic expression signifying the final stage of usability.

virtually exhausted

Emphasizes the lack of remaining utility or resource.

badly damaged by use

Highlights the damage aspect caused by usage.

approaching obsolescence

Focuses on becoming outdated or no longer useful.

FAQs

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

You can use "nearly worn" to describe an item that is close to being worn out, such as, "The tires were "nearly worn" after the long road trip."

What's the difference between "nearly worn" and "completely worn"?

"Nearly worn" implies that the item still has some usability left, while "completely worn" suggests that the item is no longer usable due to wear and tear.

What can I say instead of "nearly worn"?

Alternatives to "nearly worn" include "almost worn out", "close to being worn out", or "showing significant wear and tear".

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

Yes, "nearly worn" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing, as it's a straightforward and clear way to describe the condition of an item.