well-nigh

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'well-nigh' is correct in written English.
It is an adverb meaning almost or nearly. Example Sentence: The race was well-nigh finished before the rain started.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

A Lent will well-nigh starve ye".

The Guardian - Books

The result was well-nigh perfect.

The New York Times

Fischer's powers of invention are well-nigh heroic.

The New York Times - Books

The second is that it is well-nigh interminable.

The Guardian - Books

But no one has achieved Oprah's well-nigh superhuman status.

The New York Times - Arts

Separating them, except by ethnic cleansing, is well-nigh impossible.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

It was well nigh impossible.

The Guardian

It's a well nigh impossible job.

The New York Times - Arts

Salt-free cornflakes, for instance, would be well nigh inedible.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They have rendered his position well nigh untenable.

The Guardian - Sport

The Sixth and Seventh, however, were well nigh faultless.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "well-nigh" to add a touch of formality and precision when you want to emphasize that something is very close to being a certain way, but not quite. It's effective in both formal writing and sophisticated speech.

Common error

Avoid using "well-nigh" in everyday conversations or casual writing, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "almost" or "nearly" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well-nigh" primarily functions as an adverb, modifying adjectives or verbs to indicate a high degree of approximation. Ludwig examples show it qualifies states or conditions, emphasizing how close something is to being fully realized.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "well-nigh" is an adverbial phrase meaning 'almost' or 'nearly'. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct. It's more formal and less common than alternatives such as "almost" or "nearly", making it suitable for formal writing and sophisticated speech. The phrase appears frequently in contexts related to news and media, as well as scientific publications. As Ludwig examples illustrate, while grammatically sound, "well-nigh" should be used judiciously, avoiding overuse in informal settings to maintain a natural and accessible tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost

Indicates a near completion or achievement, directly replacing "well-nigh" with a simpler term.

nearly

Similar to "almost", but may imply a slightly lesser degree of closeness to the specified condition.

virtually

Suggests that something is so close to being true or complete that the difference is negligible.

practically

Emphasizes the realistic aspect of approaching a certain condition, highlighting feasibility.

just about

A more colloquial alternative that communicates the idea of being very close to something.

close to

A more literal way of expressing nearness, suitable when describing tangible items or events.

approaching

Suggests a continuous movement towards a specific state or condition.

in effect

Emphasizes that although not literally true, the outcome is the same as if it were.

for all practical purposes

Highlights that the result is true in most common or useful situations, though maybe not technically.

to all intents and purposes

Similar to "for all practical purposes", but focuses more on intentions and outcomes being effectively the same.

FAQs

How can I use "well-nigh" in a sentence?

You can use "well-nigh" to indicate that something is close to being a certain way. For example, "The project is "well-nigh complete"" means the project is almost finished.

What are some alternatives to "well-nigh"?

Some alternatives to "well-nigh" include "almost", "nearly", and "virtually". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "well-nigh" considered formal or informal?

"Well-nigh" is generally considered a formal term. In more casual settings, it's usually better to use less formal alternatives like "almost" or "nearly".

What's the difference between "well-nigh" and "almost"?

While both "well-nigh" and "almost" express nearness, "well-nigh" has a more formal and somewhat archaic tone. "Almost" is more common and versatile in modern English.