もう少しでmou sukoshi de“almost; nearly, close to”

もう少しで（もうすこしで） means almost; nearly, close to ~. It is a JLPT N2 Japanese grammar pattern used to express that an event or action was extremely close to happening but was narrowly avoided.

This grammar point often appears in essays, formal writing, conversations, and JLPT N2 reading passages. If you want to express that an event or action was extremely close to happening but was narrowly avoided, もう少しで（もうすこしで） is a useful pattern to learn because it adds natural precision to your Japanese.

What does もう少しで（もうすこしで） mean?

Use もう少しで（もうすこしで） when you want to express that an event or action was extremely close to happening but was narrowly avoided.

Natural translations include:

• almost; nearly, close to ~

How to form もう少しで（もうすこしで）

もう少しで + Verb (る-form) ところだった / もう少しで + Verb (た-form) そうになった

Examples of the pattern:

• もう少しで忘れるところだった
• もう少しで遅刻するところだった

When is もう少しで（もうすこしで） used?

Use もう少しで（もうすこしで） in situations like:

• describing something that almost happened but narrowly didn’t

Tone and register:

• neutral; conveys relief or near-miss
• Common in test questions, essays, daily conversation, and JLPT N2 reading

もう少しで（もうすこしで） example sentences

• もう少しで電車に乗り遅れるところだった。 — I very nearly missed the train.
• もう少しで忘れるところだった。ありがとう！ — I almost forgot. Thank you!
• もう少しで泣くところだった。 — I almost cried.
• もう少しで事故になるところだった。 — It very nearly turned into an accident.
• もう少しで目標達成だ。頑張ろう！ — We’ve almost reached our goal. Let’s keep going!

After reading each sentence, ask what job もう少しで（もうすこしで） is doing: an event or action was extremely close to happening but was narrowly avoided.

Nuance of もう少しで（もうすこしで）

The key nuance is an event or action was extremely close to happening but was narrowly avoided.

For example:

• In context, it carries a specific, nuanced meaning that a simpler pattern would not convey.
• Compared with 危うく, it carries a different weight and implication.

もう少しで（もうすこしで） vs 危うく

もう少しで（もうすこしで）:

• an event or action was extremely close to happening but was narrowly avoided

危うく:

• barely; almost (more formal/danger-oriented)

Quick contrast examples:

• もう少しで忘れるところだった。
• 危うく忘れるところだった。

Common mistakes with もう少しで（もうすこしで）

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Translating it too literally without understanding the nuance
• Using it in contexts where the situation doesn’t match the grammar’s core meaning
• Confusing it with similar-looking but different grammar patterns

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with もう少しで（もうすこしで）, then rewrite it with 危うく. If the meaning or tone changes, explain that difference in your own words.

Is もう少しで（もうすこしで） on the JLPT?

Yes. もう少しで（もうすこしで） is commonly taught as JLPT N2 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

Practice questions for もう少しで（もうすこしで）

• Use もう少しで（もうすこしで） in a sentence about a personal experience or observation.
• Write a sentence where the nuance of もう少しで（もうすこしで） is necessary.
• Compare もう少しで（もうすこしで） with 危うく in your own example.

Learning path for もう少しで（もうすこしで）

To learn もう少しで（もうすこしで） efficiently, start with its formation, then compare it with similar patterns, and finally practice in context.

1. First, make sure you can form もう少しで（もうすこしで） without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with 危うく.
3. Finally, write sentences where もう少しで（もうすこしで） is necessary; then check whether replacing it with one of the related patterns below changes the meaning.

Related grammar to review next

• か～ないかのうちに — because it also involves near-simultaneous events
• いきなり — because it also involves sudden, unexpected events
• いよいよ — because it also marks approaching and anticipated moments

Learn もう少しで（もうすこしで） with Hane

If you want to review もう少しで（もうすこしで） together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

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