Cool MateAlmost vs Nearly
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Almost
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
Nearly
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
| Almost | Nearly | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɔːlməʊst/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɔːlməʊst/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈnɪəli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈnɪrli/"]/ |
| Meaning | not quite, but very close to something | almost or very close to something |
| Example | I almost forgot to bring my umbrella today. | She runs nearly every day to stay fit. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | A2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | almost finished, almost there, almost perfect, almost everyone, almost never | nearly correct, nearly finished, nearly perfect, nearly half, nearly impossible |
| Antonyms | completely, totally, entirely | completely, not at all |
| Common mistakes | 'Almost' used with a negative word (e.g., 'almost not') which creates confusion., Confusing 'almost' with 'nearly' as they have similar meanings but may differ in nuance., Using 'almost' where 'just' would be more appropriate. | 'Nearly' used incorrectly with negative forms (e.g. 'not nearly enough')., Confusing 'nearly' with 'hardly' (the latter implies less than expected)., Using 'nearly' with uncountable nouns when it's not appropriate. |
| Usage notes | Use 'almost' to indicate something is nearly true or happening. It's commonly used in both spoken and written English. Avoid overusing it to prevent sounding vague. | Use 'nearly' to indicate something is close to happening or to a specific amount, suitable in both spoken and written contexts. Avoid using it in formal academic writing where more precise language is preferred. |
Frequently asked questions: Almost vs Nearly
What's the difference between Almost and Nearly?
Almost: not quite, but very close to something Nearly: almost or very close to something
Are Almost and Nearly the same CEFR level?
Almost: A2, Nearly: A2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Almost and Nearly interchangeably?
Not always. Almost and Nearly are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.