nearly

The word 'nearly' weakens prose by introducing uncertainty and diluting the strength of a statement. When you use 'nearly,' it suggests that something is close to being true but not quite there, which can make your narrative feel tentative. This hedging often leads to a lack of confidence in your descriptions, making your writing less impactful. In most cases, deleting 'nearly' will clarify and strengthen your prose without sacrificing meaning. Before: She was nearly certain about her decision. After: She was certain about her decision. Before: The storm was nearly a hurricane. After: The storm was a hurricane. Before: He was nearly finished with the project. After: He was finished with the project. While 'nearly' can dilute your prose, it does have specific contexts where it earns its place. For example, when portraying a character's internal conflict or hesitance, using 'nearly' can effectively illustrate their struggle. A character grappling with doubt might think, 'I am nearly ready to face him,' conveying a sense of vulnerability and uncertainty that enriches the characterization. When reviewing your work, ask yourself: If you remove 'nearly' and the sentence still conveys what you intended, then it was clutter.