I was approaching

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was approaching" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of getting closer to a person, place, or situation in the past. Example: "As I was approaching the finish line, I could hear the cheers of the crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I was approaching 50 and doing OK.

The Guardian - Arts

It's almost the opposite of how I was approaching it.

The New York Times

"I was approaching things as a nerdy jazz musician.

The Guardian - Music

Plus on a personal level I was approaching 50".

The Guardian

"I was approaching this as: 'Hey, I'm an experienced guy.

The New York Times

That was the mindset in which I was approaching this".

The Guardian

I was approaching it in the wrong way.

The Guardian - Music

"At first I was approaching this play like a revue," Ms. Vega said.

The New York Times

I was approaching 30, and 30 for me was the toughest age of all.

The Guardian - Books

Was it when I was approaching thirty and got engaged to someone else?

The New Yorker

"A friend of my father reminded me that I was approaching 30," Ms. Lewis said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was approaching" to describe movement toward a specific location, age, or state. It effectively conveys a sense of nearness or anticipation. For example, "I was approaching the city limits" or "I was approaching my final exams".

Common error

Be clear about what you are approaching. Vague usage can confuse the reader. For example, instead of saying "I was approaching a decision", be more specific: "I was approaching a decision about whether to accept the job offer".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was approaching" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It indicates an ongoing action of moving closer to something or someone at a specific time in the past. This is supported by Ludwig, which provides numerous examples where the phrase describes physical movement, age, or abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was approaching" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used in the past continuous tense to describe the act of moving closer to something, be it physical, temporal, or abstract. As shown by Ludwig's analysis, the phrase is widely used in news and media contexts. While "I was approaching" is versatile, clarity is key; ensure the object of approach is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases like "I was nearing" or "I was getting closer to" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was nearing

Focuses on the act of getting closer to a physical or metaphorical location, similar to "I was approaching".

I was getting closer to

Emphasizes the gradual reduction of distance, whether physical or abstract.

I was heading towards

Highlights direction and intention in movement.

I was moving toward

Similar to heading towards, but slightly more general in terms of direction.

I was drawing near to

More formal and literary, suggesting a slow and deliberate approach.

I was coming up on

Informal, often used for physical locations or events.

I was on the verge of

Shifts focus to the imminence of a state or event, rather than physical proximity.

I was about to reach

Highlights the act of almost arriving at a destination.

I was progressing towards

Focuses on the advancement or development in a specific direction.

I was tending towards

Indicates a leaning or inclination towards something, not necessarily physical.

FAQs

What does "I was approaching" mean?

The phrase "I was approaching" means that you were in the process of getting closer to something, whether it's a physical location, a specific time, or an abstract concept.

How can I use "I was approaching" in a sentence?

You can use "I was approaching" to describe movement towards something, such as "I was approaching the finish line" or to indicate getting closer to a certain age, such as "I "was approaching 40"".

What can I say instead of "I was approaching"?

Alternatives include "I was nearing", "I was getting closer to", or "I "was heading towards"" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I was approaching to"?

No, it is not correct. The correct phrasing is "I was approaching" followed directly by the object or destination. For example, "I was approaching the building", not "I was approaching to the building".