Nearing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Nearing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is approaching or getting closer to a certain point in time or space. Example: "We are nearing the end of the project, and it's time to finalize our reports."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The series is iconic, an international phenomenon and an historic institution – so when I arrived at Lancaster University, I was surprised a society didn't exist!" He says: "The 50th anniversary of the show was approaching and my uni was nearing it's 50th year, so I developed a six-month plan to create a society for Whovians".

The Guardian

We are nearing a conclusion of our scoping work, but we want to ensure we have had the opportunity to analyse as much of the relevant documentation as possible before we make a decision.

The Guardian

Facilities Hull is nearing the end of a four-year, £15m programme of investment in student residential accommodation.

The Guardian

Dashing hopes that the steepest decline in growth since the 1930s might be nearing an end, the Office for National Statistics said gross domestic product – the total value of goods and services in the economy – fell by 0.8% in the three months to June.

The Guardian - Business

After all, Europe's biggest economy is benefiting more than anybody else from this situation: its economy is nearing boom times, as a weak euro (a consequence of the EU's economic woes) makes German products extremely competitive in China and elsewhere.

The Guardian - Opinion

Buy sensible, by which Sands means look out for supermarket special offers and food nearing its sell by date and in season vegetables that can be turned into wholesome soups.

The Guardian

The report says: "Much of the focus has been on living well with dementia, with little focus on the experiences of people with dementia nearing the end of their lives.

The Guardian

Whether as technical advisers or frontline combatants, some are said to have come from the former Soviet Union but about 300 are reportedly from South Africa and nearing retirement age.

The Guardian

The guinea pigs are nearing the end of their contributions to science.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In other news, our iPad app is nearing completion and I'm happy to report that our existing mobile products are performing really well.

The Guardian

Nearing the mid-way point of the third, Bishop left the ice for a shift.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearing" to describe the progression towards a specific point in time, quantity, or state. For instance, "The project is nearing completion" or "Inflation is nearing 50%."

Common error

Avoid using "nearing" when you mean "nearly". "Nearing" is a verb form indicating approach, whereas "nearly" is an adverb meaning "almost". For example, say "The project is nearing completion", not "The project is nearly completion".

Linguistic Context

Nearing functions primarily as a present participle, often used to form continuous verb tenses. It describes an action that is in progress, indicating that something is in the process of approaching a particular state, time, or location. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "Nearing" functions as a present participle indicating the process of approaching a specific point or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used. It commonly appears in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, signaling its neutrality to formality. When writing, remember that "nearing" describes the act of approaching, not the state of being close, and avoid confusing it with the adverb "nearly". Consider alternatives like "approaching" or "drawing near" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Approaching

Implies a movement toward a specific point or event, similar to "Nearing" but with a slightly more active connotation.

Drawing near

Emphasizes the act of becoming closer, conveying a sense of anticipation or inevitability.

Coming closer

Focuses on the gradual reduction of distance, suitable for describing physical or abstract proximity.

On the horizon

Suggests an event or situation is imminent or becoming apparent, often used figuratively.

In sight

Indicates that a goal or destination is within reach, emphasizing progress and visibility.

Looming

Implies a potentially threatening or significant event is approaching, carrying a sense of unease or importance.

Advancing

Suggests forward movement, often used in the context of time or progress.

Trending toward

Describes a gradual shift or development in a particular direction, often used statistically or analytically.

Verging on

Indicates a state close to transitioning into another, often used to describe a state or condition.

Closing in

Suggests that something is surrounding you and becoming closer and closer

FAQs

How can I use "nearing" in a sentence?

The word "nearing" is used to indicate that something is getting closer to a specific point or event. For example, "The deadline is nearing" or "We are nearing the end of the presentation".

What are some alternatives to the word "nearing"?

You can use alternatives like "approaching", "drawing near", or "coming closer" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "nearing completion" or should I use another phrase?

The phrase "nearing completion" is correct and commonly used. It accurately conveys that something is almost finished. You could also say "approaching completion" for a similar meaning.

What is the difference between "nearing" and "nearly"?

"Nearing" is a verb form used to describe the act of approaching something, while "nearly" is an adverb meaning "almost". For example: "The end is nearing" (approaching) vs. "It's nearly finished" (almost finished).