we nearly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we nearly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something almost happened or was close to occurring. Example: "We nearly missed the train because we were running late."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We nearly experience pain.

Independent

We nearly ran aground.

The New Yorker

"We nearly missed the flight".

The New York Times - Travel

We nearly shake hands.

The Guardian

We nearly collided.

The New York Times - Magazine

We nearly ended up losing this one.

Independent

We nearly got ripped to pieces".

Independent

"We nearly bought a traditional country house.

The New York Times

"We nearly gave up," Batygin said.

The New Yorker

"We nearly killed ourselves and we nearly killed each other".

The Guardian - Music

Well, we nearly did it.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we nearly" to express that an action or event almost happened but did not, creating a sense of anticipation or near miss. It's suitable for various contexts, from casual conversation to formal writing.

Common error

While versatile, excessive use of "we nearly" can diminish impact. For formal reports or academic papers, diversify language with synonyms like "we almost" or "we came close to" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we nearly" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the proximity to an action or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common way to express that something almost happened but did not. For example, "We nearly missed the train."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we nearly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies something almost occurred. Ludwig AI confirms this, presenting numerous examples from reliable sources. Its neutral register and prevalent use in news media make it appropriate for diverse communication scenarios. While generally interchangeable with "we almost", "we nearly" can subtly imply a greater distance from the event. Remember to diversify your language in formal settings and leverage this phrase to effectively convey near misses and close calls.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we almost

Direct synonym, emphasizing the high probability of the event occurring.

we came close to

Highlights the narrow margin by which something was avoided or achieved.

we were on the verge of

Emphasizes being at the very edge of a particular state or event.

we just about

Indicates that something barely happened, often implying a sense of relief.

we practically

Stresses how little more was needed for the event to have occurred.

we were within an inch of

Conveys a sense of extreme closeness to a specific outcome.

we narrowly

Highlights the small margin by which an event was avoided.

we only just

Implies that something happened by the smallest possible margin.

we were close to

Indicates a general proximity to an event or outcome.

we verged on

Suggests approaching a particular state or condition, often negative.

FAQs

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

The phrase "we nearly" is used to express that something almost happened. For instance, you could say, "we nearly missed the train" or "we nearly won the game".

What are some alternatives to "we nearly"?

Some alternatives to "we nearly" include "we almost", "we came close to", or "we were on the verge of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "we nearly did"?

Yes, it is correct to say "we nearly did". This is often used as a shortened way of saying "we nearly achieved something" or "we nearly succeeded". For example, "Did you win the game?" "No, but we nearly did."

What's the difference between "we nearly" and "we almost"?

While "we nearly" and "we almost" are very similar, "we nearly" can sometimes imply a slightly greater distance from the event actually occurring. Both are generally interchangeable, but context might favor one over the other for subtle differences in emphasis.