a more imminent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a more imminent" is not correct in standard English usage.
The term "imminent" refers to something that is about to happen, and it is typically used in a definitive sense rather than in a comparative form. Example: "The storm is imminent, and we need to take shelter immediately."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

A more imminent battleground is tax.

Independent

He has a more imminent problem on his hands.

The New York Times

A more imminent concern is whether its listless state will deter the BoJ from expanding QE later this year.

The Economist

The urgency, they argued, lies in addressing a more imminent threat: Iran's short- and medium-range missiles.

The New York Times

Today, any such Linux-based alternative would probably pose a more imminent threat to Mr. Robertson's company than to Microsoft.

The New York Times

But this picture also cuts against the notion that the Qum disclosure reveals a more imminent nuclear threat.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

"When you're 77, by the way, that's something that's a little more imminent". He had a small basal cell carcinoma removed from near his right ear in 2008, and in 2011 he had a cancerous growth removed from his nose.

Los Angeles Times

McBeth also notes that while syphilis is currently very treatable it's one of the few things we actually still use penicillin for, so if that stops working, we have plenty of backup options to try other STIs, like gonorrhea, pose a much more imminent threat of an incurable STD epidemic.

Vice

I spend most of my days chatting with virtual/augmented reality companies, so the world of Black Mirror always seems a bit more imminent than it perhaps is.

TechCrunch

"When you're 77, by the way, that's something that's a little more imminent".

Los Angeles Times

As Chris Megerian writes, death is not an uncommon topic for this governor, who admitted this spring that when you're 77, it is "something that's a little more imminent".

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing urgency, consider alternatives such as "more pressing" or "more urgent" instead of "more imminent" to adhere to standard English grammar. Even if Ludwig AI shows many results for "more imminent", it suggests that "the phrase is not correct in standard English usage."

Common error

Avoid using "imminent" in comparative forms (e.g., "more imminent") as it typically describes something that is just about to happen and does not lend itself well to comparison. Opt for words that explicitly convey degrees of urgency or proximity, such as "urgent" or "immediate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase functions as a modifier that is used to describe the degree to which something is about to occur. Even though Ludwig AI reports that the phrase is incorrect, Ludwig's examples show that the word "imminent" is misused in a comparative structure.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a more imminent" is frequently used across various sources, especially in News & Media, Ludwig AI flags the phrase as grammatically incorrect. It attempts to convey that something is closer to happening than something else, but better alternatives like "more urgent" or "more pressing" are available. Despite its prevalence, writers should consider opting for grammatically standard alternatives, especially in formal contexts, to maintain clarity and correctness. The misuse of "imminent" in a comparative structure suggests a misunderstanding of its primary meaning, and this should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more immediate

Emphasizes a lack of mediation or intervention, implying direct impact, which changes the focus slightly compared to just timing.

more pressing

Shifts the focus to the urgency and importance of the issue rather than strictly its temporal proximity.

more urgent

Highlights the need for prompt action, changing the nuance from timing to required response.

closer at hand

Uses a more descriptive and less formal way of indicating nearness in time or occurrence.

on the horizon

This idiomatic expression suggests an event is nearing but softens the urgency present in the original phrase.

in the pipeline

Implies that something is already underway and nearing completion or release, altering the perspective.

in the offing

Suggests that something is likely to happen soon, but with a less definite or concrete expectation.

rapidly approaching

Focuses on the speed at which something is nearing, which adds a sense of momentum not present in the original.

coming soon

This is a simpler and more general way to indicate that something will happen in the near future, lowering the formality.

just around the corner

Uses a spatial metaphor to imply nearness in time, reducing the directness and formality of the original phrase.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "a more imminent"?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "a more imminent" is not correct in standard English usage. The word "imminent" describes something that is about to happen and does not lend itself well to comparison. Consider using alternatives like "more urgent" or "more pressing" instead.

What are some alternatives to "a more imminent"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases such as "more urgent", "more immediate", or "more pressing" to convey a similar meaning while adhering to standard grammatical conventions.

How does "a more imminent" differ from "a more urgent" threat?

"A more imminent" threat suggests the threat is closer in time to occurring. "A more urgent" threat implies that the threat requires more immediate attention or action. While both convey a sense of proximity, "urgent" emphasizes the need for action, whereas "imminent" focuses on the temporal aspect.

Can I use "a more imminent" in formal writing?

While the phrase "a more imminent" appears in various sources, it is generally advisable to avoid it in formal writing due to grammatical concerns. Opt for alternatives like "a more pressing" or "a more immediate" concern to maintain clarity and grammatical correctness.