Nearly dead vs Nearly died

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Nearly dead' is used to describe someone or something that is very close to death, while 'nearly died' is used to indicate that someone was close to dying but did not actually die.

Last updated: March 27, 2024

Nearly dead

This phrase is correct and commonly used to describe someone or something that is very close to death.

This phrase is used to describe a person, animal, or plant that is very close to dying. It emphasizes the critical condition of the subject.

Examples:

The patient was nearly dead when they arrived at the hospital.
The flower looked nearly dead, but with some water, it revived.
The old tree was nearly dead, but it managed to survive the harsh winter.
The cat was nearly dead after being hit by a car.
The soldier was nearly dead after the battle.

Show examples from the web [+]

A few hours ago, you were nearly dead.
He came off duty and within minutes was nearly dead from a wound in his stomach, but there was no weapon.
The nearly dead and the newly bred have more in common with each other than with people in the middle.
whereas Jan Pronk has stated that the Darfur Peace Agreement 'is nearly dead',
whereas the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) remains the basis for stability, peace and reconciliation in Darfur, despite the statement by UN Special Representative Jan Pronk that the Darfur Peace Agreement 'is nearly dead',
The rosé tint suggests he was dead or nearly dead before his wrists were slit.
By the time the Crow Indians found me and cut me down... ...I was nearly dead.
whereas the DPA remains the basis for stability, peace and reconciliation in Darfur, despite the statement by UN Special Representative Jan Pronk that the Agreement is nearly dead,
whereas the DPA remains the basis for stability, peace and reconciliation in Darfur, despite the statement by UN Special Representative Jan Pronk that the Agreement 'is nearly dead',
The human weapon that left you nearly dead.
Last time they carried three carloads of nearly dead sheep.
I know it's nearly dead, but it still looks healthy to me.
I did think of killing the soldiers... but she's nearly dead already.
She'll come out nearly dead with fright, wearing whatever she had on.
Okay sir, this is your beauty pageant of the nearly dead.
I saw the living, dying, and the nearly dead
You saved me who was nearly dead from being hooked on drugs.
The monster then ran away... taking with him a boy of desperate character... as well as a garnet ring belonging to my nearly dead ma.
By the time the Crow Indians found me and cut me down... ...I was nearly dead.

Alternatives:

almost dead
close to death
on the brink of death
at death's door
on the verge of death

Nearly died

This phrase is correct and commonly used to indicate that someone was close to dying but did not actually die.

This phrase is used to describe a situation where someone was very close to dying but managed to survive. It emphasizes the near-death experience without the actual death occurring.