Almost and Nearly: Close, but Not Complete
By the end: I can describe something close to a number, state or result.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Choose a short recording.
Close to a state or action
Almost and nearly often mean close to, but not completely, at the relevant moment.
The bottle is almost empty.
I’ve nearly finished the report.
Close to an amount
Put almost or nearly before a number or a word such as everyone or all. It does not give an exact count.
Nearly twenty people came.
Almost everyone understood.
Check what actually happened
Almost won normally means the person came close but did not win that event. Almost no means very little or very few; nearly no is not the ordinary choice.
We almost missed the train, but we caught it.
There was almost no milk left.
Almost can describe an avoided problem or a missed success
Missing came close to happening; the continuation confirms that we caught the train.
In the ordinary reading of this event, she came close but did not win.
Guided practice
Say or write your answer first. Compare form and meaning with the model.
1. Rewrite almost empty using nearly.
Compare a model and explanation
nearly empty
Both work for this simple near-state meaning.
2. Does nearly finished mean completely finished now?
Compare a model and explanation
No. It is close to completion.
Do not remove the remaining work.
3. Give an approximate description of 29 people below 30.
Compare a model and explanation
Nearly thirty people.
Other close-to-thirty formulations work.
4. Explain almost everyone.
Compare a model and explanation
Everyone except a small number.
It is not the same as absolutely everyone.
5. Complete the ordinary pattern: There is ___ no space.
Compare a model and explanation
almost
Almost is the normal choice before no.
6. What happened in I almost fell, but caught the rail?
Compare a model and explanation
I did not fall.
The continuation confirms the avoided event.
7. Repair an exaggerated report: Almost all the chairs were full becomes Every chair was full.
Compare a model and explanation
Almost all the chairs were occupied.
Do not strengthen almost all to all.
8. Write one nearly statement and state what remains.
Compare a model and explanation
I’ve nearly packed; I still need my shoes.
Make the unfinished element clear.
A short conversation
Listen first, then open the transcript when useful.
Open the conversation transcript
A: Have you finished packing?
B: Nearly. I just need my charger.
A: Hurry up. We almost missed the bus last time.
B: I know. I’m almost ready now.
Listening checks
Listen to each extract or open its transcript. These three questions have a separate score.
Mastery quiz
Choose the best answer for each situation. The score is out of eight.
Use it in your own words
Speaking 1
Describe two things close to a state or amount.
Reveal a possible response
My bottle is almost empty. The journey takes nearly an hour.
Success check: Avoid making the amounts exact.
Speaking 2
Describe a near miss and say what actually happened.
Reveal a possible response
I almost forgot my keys, but I saw them by the door.
Success check: Separate the near event from the outcome.
Put it all together
Give a progress update with one near-complete task, one approximate amount and one remaining step.
Reveal a possible response
I’ve nearly finished. Almost all the files are ready. I just need to check the final page.
Success check: Keep the remaining work visible.
Take it with you
I can describe something close to a number, state or result.