about to lapse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about to lapse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something, such as a contract or a subscription, is nearing its expiration or end. Example: "The subscription is about to lapse, so make sure to renew it before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

In June, after a preliminary investigation, Ms. Joyce announced that she could not successfully prosecute the case because the statute of limitations was about to lapse.

The New York Times

"The ABM treaty is about to lapse.

The Guardian

The federal program is about to lapse.

The New York Times

A one-month deadline promised by both leaders to restore the judges was about to lapse.

The New York Times

Michael Mussa, director of research at the International Monetary Fund, felt compelled to ask whether the world was about to lapse back into isolationism and nationalism.

The New York Times

But by the time the law was about to lapse last year, after Ms. Reno had been widely criticized by both Democrats and Republicans for her use of it, she had become a staunch opponent.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

It's a curious admission: they realise that when we want to feel happy about shopping, we tend to lapse into nostalgia, for a time we never lived in, more Dickensian than our own.

Independent

He is finishing work on a speech about evangelization to lapsed Catholics that he is scheduled deliver, in Italian, to the pope and Vatican luminaries on Friday, and he is nervous about it, he said.

The New York Times

Mark Oppenheimer, Beliefs Columnist There are lots of American novels about religious people, still more about lapsed religious people, but notably few that contain scenes of actual religious worship, which after all is usually pretty boring to watch: its most dramatic effects are psychological and interior, thus hard to put into a narrative.

The New York Times

In fact, the Fed was more concerned about us lapsing into a Japanese-style deflation.

Forbes

The play, with its incremental revelations about the past, can lapse into melodrama.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing contracts or agreements, use "about to lapse" to prompt timely action from involved parties, such as renewals or extensions.

Common error

Avoid using "about to lapse" when you mean something is "about to collapse". "Lapse" indicates expiration or termination, while "collapse" signifies a sudden failure or breakdown. For example, a subscription is "about to lapse", but a building is "about to collapse".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to lapse" functions as a descriptor, indicating that something is nearing its end or expiration. Ludwig shows its use in various contexts where deadlines or validity periods are concerned.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

25%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "about to lapse" is a phrase used to describe something that is nearing its expiration or termination. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and can be used in various contexts, especially in news and media. While its frequency is relatively rare, it is a useful phrase for signaling urgency and prompting action. Alternatives such as "nearing its expiration" or "on the verge of expiring" can be used for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost expired

Highlights the proximity to the moment of expiration.

on the verge of expiring

Emphasizes the immediacy of the expiration.

close to expiring

Similar to almost expired, emphasizing nearness.

set to expire

Indicates a pre-determined expiration date is close.

nearing its expiration

Focuses on the approaching end of a validity period.

approaching termination

More formal way of saying something is ending.

coming to an end

Simple and direct way to express the termination.

reaching its deadline

Specifies the approaching final date or time.

drawing to a close

Highlights the process of ending gradually.

nearing completion

Suggests the final stages of a process or activity.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is "about to lapse"?

When something is "about to lapse", it means that it is nearing its expiration date or termination point. It implies that if no action is taken, it will become invalid or inactive.

How can I use "about to lapse" in a sentence?

You can use "about to lapse" to describe contracts, subscriptions, or any agreement that has an expiration date. For example, "The subscription is about to lapse, so make sure to renew it."

What can I say instead of "about to lapse"?

You can use alternatives like "nearing its expiration", "on the verge of expiring", or "drawing to a close" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "about to be lapsed"?

No, "about to be lapsed" is not the standard way to express this idea. The correct phrasing is "about to lapse". Using the passive voice is unnecessary in this context.