almost

almost
almost
When almost is used to mean practically it is translated by presque : we're almost ready = nous sommes presque prêts ; it's almost dark = il fait presque nuit ; the room was almost empty = la salle était presque vide.
When almost is used with a verb in the past tense to describe something undesirable or unpleasant that nearly happened, it is translated using the verb faillir followed by an infinitive : I almost forgot = j'ai failli oublier ; he almost fell = il a failli tomber.adv
1 (practically) presque ; almost everybody presque tout le monde ; almost any train presque tous les trains ; we're almost there nous sommes presque arrivés ; she has almost finished the letter elle a presque fini la lettre ;
2 (implying narrow escape) he almost died il a failli mourir ; they almost missed the train ils ont failli rater le train.

Big English-French dictionary. 2003.

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