In sight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "In sight" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is visible or can be seen, often in a literal or metaphorical sense. Example: "As we climbed the hill, the village finally came into sight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No driver in sight.

The New Yorker

No judge in sight.

The New Yorker

Victory in sight.

Independent

No water in sight.

The New York Times

I'll stay in sight".

The New Yorker

No computer in sight.

The New York Times

No yellow in sight.

The New York Times

"Keep your hands in sight.

The New York Times

And no strollers in sight.

The New York Times

But none are in sight.

The New York Times

There's no letup in sight.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing absence, use variations like "nowhere in sight" or "not in sight" for emphasis.

Common error

Avoid using "in sight" when referring to abstract concepts that lack a sense of nearness or progression. For example, don't say "a solution is in sight" if no progress has been made; instead, opt for "a solution is possible" or "a solution is being sought".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "In sight" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate visibility or proximity. Ludwig examples show its use in describing physical locations (e.g., "land in sight") or abstract goals (e.g., "victory in sight").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"In sight" is a versatile phrase used to describe physical visibility or the nearness of a goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media. While it can be used to denote the proximity of tangible objects, it can also suggest the imminence of an abstract outcome or goal. When writing, remember that "In sight" implies a sense of nearness or progression toward something and is best used when this sense is accurate. Alternatives like "visible" or "within view" may be more appropriate when only visibility is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Within view

Focuses specifically on the act of seeing or being seen from a particular location.

Coming into view

Describes the process of something becoming visible.

In view

Similar to "within view", but more general about location.

Visible

Emphasizes the characteristic of being able to be seen.

Appearing

Focuses on the action of becoming visible or noticeable.

On the horizon

Implies something is coming closer, either literally or figuratively.

Close at hand

Indicates nearness or accessibility, not necessarily visual.

Drawing near

Highlights the action of something approaching.

On the verge

Suggests being close to a particular state or event, not necessarily visual.

Within reach

Emphasizes the attainability or accessibility of something, not necessarily visual.

FAQs

How can I use "In sight" in a sentence?

You can use "In sight" to describe something that is visible, as in "The shore was finally "in sight" after days at sea", or to indicate that a goal is near, as in "With the deadline approaching, the end is "in sight"".

What are some alternatives to "In sight"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "visible", "within view", "on the horizon", or "close at hand" as alternatives to "In sight".

What's the difference between "In sight" and "In view"?

"In sight" often implies a sense of anticipation or progress towards a goal, while "in view" simply indicates that something is visible. For example, "The summit was "in sight"" suggests the climbers were close to reaching it, whereas "The mountain was in view" only means it could be seen.

Is it correct to say "nowhere in sight"?

Yes, "nowhere "in sight"" is a common and correct idiom used to emphasize the complete absence of something or someone. For example, "After searching for hours, the missing cat was nowhere "in sight"".