there were almost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were almost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a certain quantity or number was very close to a specific amount but did not quite reach it. Example: "There were almost fifty people at the event, but a few canceled at the last minute."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There were almost no benefits.

The New York Times

There were almost only four.

The New Yorker

There were almost 50 vendors.

The New York Times - Food

There were almost no cameras.

The New York Times

There were almost 300 of them.

The Economist

"There were almost two scripts," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

There were almost no publicly identified homosexuals.

Independent

There were almost immediate repercussions for Ford.

The Washington Post

There were almost 100 in 2011.

The Washington Post

There were almost no women there.

The New Yorker

There were almost no other Asian-Americans.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure that the context clearly establishes what the quantity was close to. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "there were almost" when you intend to convey "there were most". "Almost" indicates nearness to a quantity, while "most" indicates the majority. Confusing these terms can drastically alter the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were almost" functions as a quantifier, specifying an amount close to a certain value. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts to describe quantities that nearly reached a particular number or state. It qualifies nouns by indicating approximation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "there were almost" is a versatile quantifier used to express approximation, indicating that a quantity nearly reached a specific value. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news media, scientific research, and academic writing. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. To ensure clarity, always specify the quantity that was nearly reached. While similar phrases like "there were nearly" and "there were close to" offer comparable meanings, it is important to avoid mistaking "almost" for "most". As a common and well-supported phrase, "there were almost" remains a valuable tool for expressing approximation in writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there were nearly

Emphasizes the closeness to a specific number or quantity.

there were close to

Indicates a quantity that is just below a particular value.

there were just about

Implies that something was slightly less than anticipated or required.

there were practically

Suggests a condition that is very close to being fully realized.

there were virtually

Highlights the near-complete state of something, with minimal exceptions.

there were approximately

Formally indicates an estimated or rounded number.

there were roughly

Indicates an inexact number, with some degree of estimation.

there were in the neighborhood of

Suggests a quantity in a specific range or area.

there were not quite

Emphasizes the state of not reaching the expected amount

there were marginally

Indicates a slight shortfall from an expected value.

FAQs

How can I use "there were almost" in a sentence?

Use "there were almost" to indicate that a quantity was close to a specific number but didn't quite reach it. For example, "There were almost 50 people at the party" suggests the number was close to, but less than, 50.

What's the difference between "there were almost" and "there were nearly"?

Both phrases are similar, indicating approximation. "There were almost" and "there were nearly" can often be used interchangeably, but "there were almost" might slightly emphasize the shortfall from the expected number.

What are some alternatives to "there were almost"?

You can use phrases like "there were close to", "there were just about", or "there were approximately" as alternatives to "there were almost", depending on the level of formality and emphasis you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "there were almost no"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. The expression "there were almost no" indicates a very small quantity, close to zero. It's often used to emphasize the scarcity or near absence of something. For example, "There were almost no tickets left" means very few tickets remained.