almost upon us

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost upon us" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It typically means that something is approaching or nearing in time or distance. Example: The holiday season is almost upon us, and I still have so much shopping to do! In this sentence, "almost upon us" indicates that the holiday season is coming soon and is approaching in time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Awards season is almost upon us.

Independent

3. Eurovision 2015 is almost upon us.

The Guardian - Music

It was almost upon us".

The New York Times

That moment's almost upon us.

The New York Times

2011 is almost upon us.

The New Yorker

International Women's Day is almost upon us.

Independent

The season is almost upon us.

The Washington Post

"Another budget crisis is almost upon us!

The Washington Post

And that moment is almost upon us.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Going all-out in a sequinned dress is great for the almost-upon-us party season, but keep your shapes minimal with uncluttered accessories in muted tones.

Independent

Thanksgiving is almost upon us---or, as we Americans have begun calling it: The Day Before Black Friday.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost upon us" to create a sense of anticipation or urgency when discussing upcoming events, deadlines, or seasonal changes. It's particularly effective in persuasive writing or announcements.

Common error

While "almost upon us" is generally acceptable, consider simpler alternatives like "nearly here" or "coming soon" in casual conversations or informal writing to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost upon us" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating the temporal proximity of an event or situation. This is evidenced by the variety of examples Ludwig provides, where it is used to describe the nearness of events ranging from holidays to budget crises.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost upon us" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates the imminence of an event or situation. According to Ludwig, this phrase is predominantly found in news and media contexts, serving to create a sense of anticipation or urgency. While versatile, it is best suited for neutral to slightly formal settings. Remember to consider simpler alternatives for casual communication. The numerous examples provided by Ludwig confirm its widespread acceptance and consistent usage across reputable sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly here

Replaces "almost upon us" with a more concise and direct expression of proximity in time or space.

about to arrive

A direct and straightforward way of saying something is imminent, focusing on the action of arrival.

close at hand

Indicates something is readily available or imminent, similar to "almost upon us" but emphasizes accessibility.

just around the corner

A more figurative way of saying something is about to happen or arrive, focusing on the imminence.

fast approaching

Highlights the speed at which something is nearing, adding a sense of urgency compared to "almost upon us".

coming soon

A common and versatile phrase that something will happen in the near future. This is a less formal alternative.

drawing near

A more formal and literary way to express that something is approaching, suggesting a gradual process.

in the offing

Suggests that something is likely to happen or appear soon, often used in a business or planning context.

on the horizon

Indicates something is likely to happen in the future but may not be immediate, creating a sense of anticipation.

looming

Suggests something significant or threatening is approaching, adding a sense of foreboding compared to "almost upon us".

FAQs

How can I use "almost upon us" in a sentence?

You can use "almost upon us" to indicate that an event or time is very near. For instance, "The deadline is almost upon us, so be sure to submit your applications soon."

What can I say instead of "almost upon us"?

You can use alternatives like "nearly here", "close at hand", or "just around the corner" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "almost on us" instead of "almost upon us"?

While "almost on us" might be understood in some contexts, "almost upon us" is the more grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase for indicating something is imminent.

What's the difference between "almost upon us" and "approaching"?

"Almost upon us" suggests something is very close and imminent, while "approaching" simply means something is moving closer, without necessarily implying the same degree of nearness.