Almost is used when you want to express that something is on the verge of happening or is only a small measure away from a certain point. It can emphasize the closeness to completion or an upper limit. Almost has a broad usage and can modify numbers, quantities, situations, and actions, highlighting that there is still some minimal degree of separation from the total or ultimate objective.

The word nearly often implies an even closer approach to a goal or endpoint than almost. It is generally used when something is close to being done or a particular quantity or value is about to be reached. Nearly can also convey a subtle tone of surprise that the expectation was not met or that an outcome came close to but didn’t achieve the desired result.

While almost and nearly can often be used interchangeably, their subtle differences lie in the nuance of how close something is to completion. Almost might imply a slightly greater distance from the ultimate goal than nearly. Context can determine their connotation and usage, where nearly might suggest a greater sense of proximity or an unexpected shortfall. Despite these differences, both adverbs play an essential role in expressing nearness to an endpoint and are powerful tools in the art of nuanced communication.