almost and nearly; practically
1 progress. measurement and counting
Almost and nearly can both express ideas connected with progress,
measurement or counting. Nearly is less common in American English.
I've almost/nearly finished.
There were almost/nearly a thousand people there.
Sometimes almost is a little 'nearer' than nearly. Compare:
It's nearly ten o'clock. (= perhaps 9.45)
It's almost ten o'clock. (= perhaps 9.57)
Very and pretty can be used with nearly but not almost.
I've very/pretty nearly finished. (NOT ••• very aml68t ... )
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alone, lonely, lonesome and lone 44
2 other meanings
We can use almost to mean 'similar to, but not exactly the same', and to make
statements less definite. Nearly is not used like this.
Jake is almost like a father to me.
Our cat uru:lerstands everything - he's almost human. (NOT ••• he's netlrly
hlttntln.)
My aunt's got a strange accent. She almost sounds foreign. (NOT ••• -BIte
netlFly S6ltntis }'6reign.)
I almost wish I'd stayed at home. (NOT : netlrly wish ... )