What is almost? Pronunciation and usage in English

almost means . Learn how to pronounce and use almost through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of almost

almostadverb

/ˈɔːlməʊst/
Definition & pronunciation of almost

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "almost" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

The Standard Pronunciation (Most Common):

  • ah-LOST

Let's break that down further:

  1. "ah": This is a short, open "ah" sound, like in the word "father" or "cat." Think of it as a broader, more relaxed "a" than the "a" in "apple."
  2. "LO": This is pronounced like the word "low." It's a clear, distinct "low" sound.
  3. "st": This is pronounced just like the letters "s" and "t" together. It's a quick, sharp "st" sound.

Variations (Less Common, but You Might Hear Them):

  • ah-LOHST: Some people, particularly in certain regions (like parts of the UK), might pronounce the "LO" with a slightly longer "o" sound, almost like "loh."

Tips for Getting it Right:

  • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable ("ah").
  • Don’t over-emphasize the “lo”: It's a distinct syllable, but don’t draw it out too long.
  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to learn pronunciation is to hear it! Here are some resources:
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/almost/ - This website lets you hear how native speakers pronounce words from different regions.
    • Google Search: Search for "how to pronounce almost" on YouTube, and you'll find many videos demonstrating the pronunciation.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (This can affect pronunciation, as accents vary.)

Usage and examples with the word almost in English

Let's break down how to use the word "almost" effectively in English. It's a common word, but it can be tricky to use correctly.

1. Basic Meaning & Function:

"Almost" means "nearly" or "very close to." It indicates that something didn't quite happen or reach a certain point, but was very close.

2. Common Uses & Sentence Examples:

  • With Verbs (Actions):

    • "I almost missed the bus." (I was very close to missing it)
    • "She almost tripped." (She was very close to falling)
    • "He almost finished the report." (He was very near completion)
    • "The rain almost stopped." (It was very close to stopping)

  • With Nouns (Quantities or States):

    • "I have almost finished my homework." (I’m nearly done)
    • "There are almost no apples left." (There are very few left)
    • "I'm almost certain." (I'm very sure)
    • "It was almost midnight." (It was very close to midnight)

  • With Adjectives (Describing things):

    • "The cake was almost burnt." (It was nearly burnt)
    • "The movie was almost boring." (It approached being boring)

3. Using "Almost" with "Too":

You often see "almost" used with "too." This emphasizes the near nature of something.

  • "I’m almost too excited to talk!" (I’m extremely excited – very close to being overwhelmed.)
  • "It was almost too hot to go outside." (It was very close to being unbearable.)

4. Adding Emphasis with "Just":

Sometimes "just" is used in conjunction with "almost" for even more emphasis.

  • "I just almost missed the train." (I was extremely close to missing it - highlighting the close call.)
  • "It was just almost empty." (There were only a few people left - emphasizing the near emptiness.)

5. Negative Constructions – "Almost Not":

  • "He almost didn't come." (He was very close to not coming)
  • "I almost wasn't hungry." (I was nearly not hungry.)

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Overuse: "Almost" can feel a little clunky if you use it too frequently. Sometimes it’s better to rephrase. For example, instead of "I almost finished the book," you could say "I nearly finished the book" or “I just finished the book.”

  • Incorrect Placement: Generally, "almost" comes before the verb or adjective it modifies. But pay attention to the flow of the sentence.

Resources for More Practice:

To help me give you even more specific guidance, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you using "almost" in? (e.g., writing, speaking, a specific situation?)
  • Can you give me an example sentence where you're unsure how to use "almost"?

Synonyms for the word almost

Practice with vocabulary almost

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The project was ______ completed when the power went out.
  2. We were ______ late for the meeting, but we made it just in time.
  3. The temperature dropped to ______ freezing last night.
  4. She has ______ the same amount of experience as her colleague.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The train was ______ empty when it arrived at the station.
    a) nearly
    b) almost
    c) hardly
    d) close

  2. He was ______ to give up, but then he found a solution.
    a) about
    b) nearly
    c) almost
    d) rarely

  3. The library is ______ always quiet in the mornings.
    a) almost
    b) near
    c) around
    d) fairly

  4. The team was ______ ready to start the presentation.
    a) nearly
    b) close
    c) around
    d) approximately

  5. She was ______ exhausted after the long hike.
    a) completely
    b) almost
    c) barely
    d) nearly

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The movie was about to start when we arrived.
  2. The cake was nearly done when the timer went off.
  3. The meeting was close to finishing when the fire alarm rang.

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. almost
  2. almost
  3. almost
  4. nearly

Exercise 2:

  1. a) nearly, b) almost
  2. b) nearly, c) almost
  3. a) almost
  4. a) nearly
  5. a) completely, b) almost, d) nearly

Exercise 3:

  1. The movie was almost starting when we arrived.
  2. The cake was almost done when the timer went off.
  3. The meeting was nearly finished when the fire alarm rang.

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