very almost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very almost" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward to some readers.
It can be used informally to express that something is nearly true or nearly the case, but it is better to use more conventional expressions. Example: "I was very almost late to the meeting, but I managed to arrive just in time."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

They were very almost right.

The Guardian

He is also very – almost archly – polite.

The Guardian

It is a very, almost bizarrely American-looking film, shot very far from Britain.

The Guardian - Film

He stretched the word "very" almost as far as he stretched his second jump.

The New York Times - Sports

"And obviously it showed up the other night in two or three very, very — almost clinic-like, if you will — plays that he was able to make".

The New York Times - Sports

For all their statistical dominance, United very almost threw it away in the 77th minute substitute when Seydou Doumbia capitalised on a defensive lapse to leave himself one on one with David De Gea.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

I very nearly almost closed the show and walked away for good.

Independent

They had this very excited, almost giddy look about them.

The New York Times

Then, when questioned about liking them, act very defensively, almost aggressive.

WikiHow

Very buttery, almost swordfishy.

The New Yorker

"It's very spooky, almost ghoulish.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "very almost" is understandable, consider using the single word "almost" or "nearly" for conciseness and clarity. Overusing intensifiers like "very" can weaken your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "very almost" when a single word like "almost" or "nearly" suffices. The addition of "very" doesn't significantly alter the meaning and can make the sentence sound awkward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very almost" functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the approximation of an action or state. While Ludwig's AI considers it acceptable, the phrase can often be replaced by a single adverb for conciseness. For example, saying "It was almost finished" conveys a similar meaning.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very almost" functions as an adverbial modifier to express close approximation. Although understandable and used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Ludwig AI suggests that it can often be replaced with more concise alternatives like "almost" or "nearly" for improved clarity. While grammatically acceptable, using single-word substitutes is recommended, especially in formal writing, to avoid redundancy. To enhance writing precision, consider the specific context and choose the most appropriate synonym for conveying the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Nearly

A single-word substitute emphasizing the closeness to a particular state or action.

Almost

The most direct synonym, indicating that something is just short of being the case.

Practically

Implies that something is so close to being true that it can be regarded as such for all practical purposes.

Virtually

Similar to 'practically', but can also imply a digital or simulated approximation.

Just about

A more colloquial way of saying 'almost'.

Close to

Indicates proximity to a specific condition or state.

Tantamount to

Suggests that something is effectively equivalent to something else, though not precisely the same.

Bordering on

Implies that something is approaching a particular quality or state, often a negative one.

In effect

Highlights that the result is close to the expected result.

For all intents and purposes

A more formal way of expressing 'practically' or 'virtually'.

FAQs

Is "very almost" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "very almost" is often considered redundant. Using "almost" or "nearly" is generally preferred for clearer and more concise writing.

What does "very almost" mean?

The phrase "very almost" means 'close to' or 'nearly'. It indicates that something is just shy of being a particular way.

Can I use "very almost" in formal writing?

It's best to avoid "very almost" in formal writing. Opt for more direct alternatives like "nearly" or "almost" to maintain a professional tone.

What are some alternatives to "very almost"?

Synonyms for "very almost" include "practically", "virtually", and "just about", each carrying slightly different nuances.