almost didn't, nearly didn't

[joham]

There had been so many wrong numbers that morning that I nearly didn't bother to answer the phone when Carl called.

This sentence comes from Martin Hewings' ADVANCED GRAMMAR IN USE (2004 edition, CD-ROM).

I wonder if we could replace 'nearly didn't' with 'almost didn't' in this sentence.
I was hoping native English teachers could help me with this question. Thank you very much.

 

[baqarah131]

In this context they mean exactly the same.
If there is a difference, "almost" might be about 1% more formal.

I nearly fell down.
I almost fell down.

I was awake nearly all night.
I was awake almost all night.

He is nearly 80 years old.
He is almost 80 years old.

I'm nearly finished this posting.
I'm almost finished this posting.

good luck
edward

There had been so many wrong numbers that morning that I nearly didn't bother to answer the phone when Carl called.

This sentence comes from Martin Hewings' ADVANCED GRAMMAR IN USE (2004 edition, CD-ROM).

I wonder if we could replace 'nearly didn't' with 'almost didn't' in this sentence.
I was hoping native English teachers could help me with this question. Thank you very much.