that was almost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was almost" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something nearly happened or was close to being true or accurate. Example: "That was almost the best performance I've ever seen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

In retrospect that was almost hubristically optimistic.

MIT Technology Review

There was something in Ray that was almost dangerous.

The New Yorker

To me, that was almost as unsettling as the earthquake.

The New Yorker

It all had a simplicity that was almost heartbreaking.

The New York Times

"This was the thing that was almost impossible to do".

The New Yorker

The final Gigue had a liveliness that was almost threatening.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Today, that's almost impossible.

Forbes

Today, that's almost quaint.

Los Angeles Times

Use one that is almost white.

WikiHow

That's almost impossible".

The New York Times

That is almost right.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was almost" to express a missed opportunity or a near success. It's effective for adding dramatic effect to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "that was almost" when you mean "that was exactly". "Almost" implies something did not fully happen, whereas "exactly" means it did.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was almost" functions as a qualifier, modifying a statement to indicate that something nearly happened or was nearly true. It adds a nuance of approximation or near completion. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently found in English writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

5%

Academia

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was almost" is a versatile phrase used to express that something nearly occurred or was close to being true. It's grammatically sound and frequently employed across various contexts, particularly in news and media. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. When using the phrase, ensure it aligns with your intended meaning of a near-miss, and be mindful of potential misunderstandings with terms like "exactly". Consider alternatives like "it nearly was" or "it practically was" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it nearly was

Emphasizes the nearness of the event.

it practically was

Highlights the event was very close to happening.

it came close to being

Focuses on the narrow margin by which the event didn't happen.

it was close to being

Indicates a close proximity to a certain state.

it was just about

Highlights the event was on the verge of occurring.

it verged on

Emphasizes the event touched the edge of something.

it bordered on

Suggests the event nearly crossed over into something else.

it resembled closely

Focuses on the strong resemblance to something else.

it approximated

Suggests a close numerical or quantitative similarity.

it simulated

Emphasizes that the event only imitated the real event.

FAQs

How can I use "that was almost" in a sentence?

You can use "that was almost" to indicate a near miss or a close occurrence, such as, "that was almost a disaster" or "that was almost perfect".

What are some alternatives to "that was almost"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it nearly was", "it practically was", or "it came close to being", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "that was almost it"?

Yes, "that was almost it" is a correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something nearly came to an end or conclusion.

What is the difference between "that was almost" and "that was nearly"?

The phrases "that was almost" and "that was nearly" are largely interchangeable. Both indicate something came close to happening or being true. The choice often depends on personal preference or stylistic considerations.