verb·b1

faillir

To almost do something; to be on the verge of doing something

J'ai failli tomber.

Il a failli rater le train.

Forms

present jeje faillis

I almost (do)

passe compose jej'ai failli

I almost (did)

futur jeje faillirai

I will almost (do)

imperatif tufaillis

(you) almost (do)!

participe presentfaillant

almost doing

participe passefailli

almost done / having almost done