“Almost” and “nearly” are both adverbs used to express a close approximation, but there are subtle differences in their usage.

“Almost” is generally used to indicate that something is very close to happening or being true but has not quite happened yet. It suggests a degree of inevitability or high likelihood. For example, “I almost missed my bus,” implies that there was a very real possibility of missing the bus, but ultimately did not.

On the other hand, “nearly” tends to imply that something falls just short of completion or a specific point. It suggests a proximity that is very close but not quite there. For instance, “I nearly finished my homework,” indicates that the homework is almost complete but not entirely.

In terms of modifying verbs or adjectives, both “almost” and “nearly” serve to indicate a high degree of closeness or approximation. They provide a sense of proximity or imminent completion to the action or state described. The distinction lies in the specific nuance each word conveys in terms of how close something is to being realized or completed.

In conclusion, while both “almost” and “nearly” express a similar concept of closeness or approximation, “almost” suggests something very close to happening or being true, whereas “nearly” indicates a proximity that falls just short of completion.