an impending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an impending" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is about to happen or is imminent. Example: "The weather forecast warns of an impending storm that could disrupt travel plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is an impending crisis.

Independent

Want more evidence of an impending recession?

The New Yorker

Watch out for an impending legal matter.

The New York Times

There's never an impending revolution".

The New York Times

Fear of an impending explosion?

The New York Times

Now an impending royal birth has come to the rescue.

The New York Times

There is a perception of an impending payback time.

The New York Times

Even Mr O'Leary has warned of an impending "bloodbath".

The Economist

Does this indicate an impending shift in Pakistan's allegiances?

The Economist

As far as I'm concerned, it's an impending disaster".

The New Yorker

Dr Abo el-Ezz warned of an impending crisis.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an impending" to convey a sense of urgency or inevitability about a future event. It is most effective when the event is perceived as significant or potentially impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "an impending" in situations where the event is minor or commonplace. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an impending" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase to describe a noun, indicating that the noun it modifies is about to occur or happen soon. As Ludwig AI confirms, the usage examples available demonstrate the phrase in action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an impending" is a phrase used to describe something that is about to happen, often conveying a sense of urgency or significance. Ludwig AI analysis, based on numerous examples from reputable sources, confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across different fields. It's crucial to use this phrase judiciously, reserving it for situations where the event truly warrants a sense of imminence. While alternatives like "an approaching" or "an upcoming" can be used, "an impending" carries a unique weight that should be leveraged thoughtfully. Overall, a solid grasp of this phrase will add nuance and depth to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an approaching

Focuses on the act of drawing nearer in space or time. Slightly more literal than "impending".

an imminent

Emphasizes the closeness in time; something is about to happen very soon. More formal.

an upcoming

Indicates something scheduled or planned to happen. Less urgent than "impending".

a looming

Suggests something large or significant is threateningly close. Often carries a negative connotation.

a forthcoming

Implies something is about to appear or be available. More neutral in tone.

an onrushing

Conveys a sense of rapid and unstoppable movement towards a point in time.

a brewing

Suggests something is developing or intensifying, about to reach a critical point. Implies a gradual build-up.

a gathering

Emphasizes the accumulation of elements before an event. Often used in the context of weather or conflict.

a dawning

Conveys a sense of beginning or emergence, often used metaphorically.

a pending

Suggests something is waiting to be decided or happen. More passive than "impending".

FAQs

How to use "an impending" in a sentence?

Use "an impending" to describe a future event that is likely to happen soon and carries some significance or urgency. For example, "The report warned of an impending economic crisis."

What can I say instead of "an impending"?

You can use alternatives like "an approaching", "an imminent", or "an upcoming" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "an impending doom" or "a impending doom"?

"An impending doom" is correct. The article "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound.

What's the difference between "an impending" and "a pending"?

"An impending" suggests something is about to happen soon, emphasizing imminence and often a sense of urgency or threat. "A pending" simply means something is waiting to happen or be decided, without necessarily implying immediacy or threat. For example, "an impending storm" versus "a pending decision".