was almost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was almost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something nearly happened or was very close to being true in the past. Example: "She was almost ready to leave when the phone rang."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She was almost 30.

The New Yorker

He was almost glowing.

The New York Times

It was almost subarticulate.

The New York Times

It was almost boring.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was almost comical".

The New York Times - Sports

It was almost free".

The Economist

It was almost organic.

The New York Times

It was almost there.

Independent

It was almost effective.

The New York Times - Sports

I was almost there.

The New Yorker

"It was almost effortless.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "was almost" with more precise language to enhance clarity and avoid vagueness. For example, instead of saying "The project was almost complete", specify what remained to be done.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "was almost", as it can sometimes make your writing seem vague. Instead of saying "The problem was almost solved", consider specifying the exact remaining challenges. Always strive for clarity and precision in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was almost" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the degree to which something approached a particular state or action in the past. It modifies verbs, adjectives, or adverbs to denote approximation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was almost" is a versatile expression used to convey that something nearly happened or approached a certain state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. While it's a common and acceptable phrase, writers should be mindful of potential vagueness and consider using more precise language when possible. Understanding its function and purpose, as well as common errors, can help improve clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly was

Replaces "almost" with "nearly", maintaining the same meaning of approximation.

was practically

Substitutes "almost" with "practically", suggesting a high degree of likeness.

was virtually

Employs "virtually" instead of "almost", indicating that something is true in effect, if not in fact.

was close to

Uses a more descriptive phrase to convey the nearness of an event or state.

was on the verge of

Indicates that something was about to happen or be achieved.

was just about to

Implies immediacy and anticipation of an event.

was bordering on

Suggests that something was approaching a certain state or condition.

came close to being

Emphasizes the near attainment of a certain state.

was not far from

Highlights the relative proximity to a particular condition or outcome.

was within reach of

Indicates that something was attainable but not yet achieved.

FAQs

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

The phrase "was almost" is used to indicate that something nearly happened or was close to being true. For example, "She "was almost" late for her appointment" means she arrived just in time.

What can I say instead of "was almost"?

You can use alternatives like "nearly was", "was close to", or "practically was" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "was almost"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. The structure "was almost" followed by an adjective, verb, or noun is a standard and accepted English construction.

What's the difference between "was almost" and "is almost"?

"Was almost" refers to something that nearly happened or was close to being true in the past, while "is almost" refers to something that is currently close to happening or being true. For example, "He "was almost" finished with the project yesterday" versus "He "is almost" finished with the project now".