sheer
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sheer
Used as an adverb for emphasis and means something like 'almost', 'nearly', or 'positively'. It emphasizes the extent of something, often in a negative or overwhelming sense.
Die Menge an Arbeit war schier unmöglich zu bewältigen.
The amount of work was sheerly impossible to manage.
In its most common meaning, 'schier' (sheer/almost) is an adverb that intensifies another word, usually an adjective. It is not declined and stands directly before the word it emphasizes.
Die Aufgabe schien schier unlösbar.
The task seemed sheerly unsolvable.
'Schier' (sheer/almost) is often combined with adjectives that express a limit or an extreme. Typical collocations are 'schier unmöglich' (sheerly/almost impossible), 'schier unglaublich' (almost unbelievable), 'schier endlos' (seemingly endless), or 'schier verzweifeln' (to almost despair).
Die Aussicht vom Berggipfel war schier atemberaubend.
The view from the mountain peak was absolutely breathtaking.
The meaning 'rein' (pure) or 'pur' (pure) is very rare today and is now found almost only in literary or very old texts. In modern German, you should avoid this meaning.
Im Gedicht war von „schierem Gold“ die Rede.
The poem spoke of 'schierem Gold' (pure gold).
almost
'fast' and 'schier' can both mean that something is almost the case or is so to a very high degree. 'fast' is the normal everyday word. 'schier' is used more when something seems especially strong, overwhelming, or hard to believe. It sounds somewhat more elevated and does not fit every simple everyday sentence. In many situations, 'fast' is more natural; 'schier' emphasizes the extent more strongly.
Nach drei Stunden Warten war die Hitze im Bahnhof schier unerträglich.
After waiting for three hours, the heat in the station was almost unbearable.
Wegen des starken Regens habe ich den Bus fast verpasst.
Because of the heavy rain, I almost missed the bus.