an approaching storm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an approaching storm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a storm that is getting closer or imminent. Example: "The sky darkened as an approaching storm loomed on the horizon, threatening to unleash heavy rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cassandra James painted a triptych of an approaching storm.

The New York Times

Then the trill — a very distant murmuring, maybe of an approaching storm.

The New Yorker

When he describes an approaching storm, he says "be-de-KAT".

The New York Times

That line became the leitmotif of the Government's response to an approaching storm.

The Guardian

This starts really tiny and gets huge like an approaching storm.

The Guardian - Music

He accused the Metropolitan Police of acting liked "rabbits blinded in the face of an approaching storm".

Independent

Simpson, 95, said the system was invaluable in helping him communicate the power of an approaching storm.

The Washington Post

Despite the drama of an approaching storm, my biggest worry was that I'd run out of television to watch.

The New York Times

The Nets saw it coming, as surely as they saw Payton's revenge like an approaching storm the past three days.

The New York Times - Sports

Doppler can reveal a lot about an approaching storm — the intensity of its rainfall and wind, for instance.

The New York Times - Magazine

We must find a better way to characterize and explain the potential severity of storm surge and precipitation-driven flooding for an approaching storm.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an approaching storm" to create a sense of foreboding or anticipation, whether in literal or figurative contexts. It's effective for signaling impending challenges or changes.

Common error

Avoid using "an approaching storm" solely for literal weather events; it can be powerful metaphor for non-weather-related situations like financial crises or personal difficulties. Be aware of the context in order to properly use "an approaching storm".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an approaching storm" primarily functions as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable. It can serve as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, often carrying metaphorical weight beyond literal meteorological events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an approaching storm" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to denote an impending crisis or challenge, whether literal or figurative. Predominantly found in news and media, it can also be seen in academic contexts, and carries a generally neutral register adaptable to various situations. When writing, leverage this phrase to create tension or foreboding. Related alternatives include "a looming storm" and "an impending storm". Be mindful of its metaphorical potential and avoid limiting it solely to literal weather events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a looming storm

Emphasizes the threatening or menacing aspect of the approaching storm.

an impending storm

Highlights the inevitability and closeness in time of the storm.

a gathering storm

Focuses on the gradual accumulation and intensification of the storm.

an oncoming storm

Emphasizes the forward movement and inevitability of the storm.

a brewing storm

Suggests that the storm is developing and intensifying, hinting at potential trouble.

a developing storm

Focuses on the ongoing formation and growth of the storm.

a threatening storm

Highlights the potential danger and harm that the storm may cause.

an imminent storm

Emphasizes that the storm is about to happen or occur.

a nascent storm

Suggests the storm is in its early stages of development, but potentially dangerous.

a future storm

General term with a reduced level of semantic similarity, refers to a storm in future.

FAQs

How can I use "an approaching storm" in a sentence?

You can use "an approaching storm" to describe both literal weather events, as in "The dark clouds signaled "an approaching storm"", or figurative situations, such as "The company's financial troubles felt like "an approaching storm"".

What are some alternatives to "an approaching storm"?

Some alternatives include "a looming storm", "an impending storm", or "a gathering storm", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "an approaching storm" in a business context?

Yes, "an approaching storm" can be used effectively in business contexts to describe challenges or crises on the horizon. For example, "The market downturn felt like "an approaching storm" for many investors".

What's the difference between "an approaching storm" and "a passing storm"?

"An approaching storm" describes a situation that is developing and moving closer, while "a passing storm" refers to a situation that has already occurred and is now ending. They represent opposite phases of a challenging event.