appears imminent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appears imminent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something seems likely to happen very soon or is on the verge of occurring. Example: "The storm clouds gathering in the distance suggest that rain appears imminent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Eviction appears imminent.

The New York Times

Neither appears imminent.

The Washington Post

No action appears imminent.

The New York Times

He says neither appears imminent.

The New York Times

In any event, change hardly appears imminent.

The New York Times

But no announcement about a change behind the scenes at the show appears imminent.

The New York Times

PEKING — A break between the four nations' financial groups and the Chinese government appears imminent.

The New York Times

Shell drilling in the Chukchi Sea, conditionally approved this spring by the Obama administration, appears imminent.

The Guardian - Travel

The many sources agreed that a popular uprising hardly appears imminent.

The New York Times

A Yates revival is currently under way and some sort of commercial recognition appears imminent.

The Guardian - Books

Both sides say they want to avoid condemnation, but no compromise appears imminent.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appears imminent" to convey a sense of near certainty based on available evidence, but be mindful that it doesn't guarantee the event will occur.

Common error

Avoid using "appears imminent" when the evidence is weak or speculative. Overusing this phrase can create a false sense of inevitability, potentially misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appears imminent" functions as a descriptor or qualifier, indicating that a particular event or situation is highly likely to occur in the near future. It suggests a state of expectation based on observable evidence, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appears imminent" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is highly likely to happen soon. Ludwig confirms that it functions as a descriptor, often used to inform or forecast an event in neutral to professional registers. Analysis of real-world examples shows it's most frequently used in news and media, followed by science. When using this phrase, ensure the evidence supports the claim and avoid overstating certainty. Alternatives like "is on the horizon" or "seems impending" can be used for slight variations in tone or emphasis. Keep in mind the importance of choosing a verb form that agrees with the subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems impending

Indicates something is about to happen, carrying a sense of threat or inevitability.

is about to happen

Directly states that something is on the verge of occurring.

is on the horizon

Suggests something is likely to happen in the near future, often used for events or changes.

is in the offing

Implies something is likely to occur soon, often used in a formal context.

is drawing near

Indicates that something is approaching closely in time or space.

is fast approaching

Emphasizes the speed at which something is coming closer.

is close at hand

Implies that something is easily accessible or likely to occur very soon.

is just around the corner

Suggests that something will happen very soon, often used for positive events.

is shaping up

Indicates that something is developing in a way that suggests it will happen soon.

is becoming a reality

Suggests something that was previously unlikely is now likely to happen soon.

FAQs

How can I use "appears imminent" in a sentence?

Use "appears imminent" to describe a situation where something seems very likely to happen soon. For example, "Based on the forecast, a storm "appears imminent"."

What can I say instead of "appears imminent"?

You can use alternatives such as "is on the horizon", "is about to happen", or "seems impending depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "appear imminent"?

No, the correct phrase is "appears imminent". The verb "appear" must agree with its subject. If the subject is singular (e.g., "the storm"), use "appears". If the subject is plural, use "appear".

What's the difference between "appears imminent" and "is possible"?

"Appears imminent" suggests a high degree of likelihood based on current evidence, while "is possible" only indicates that something could happen but isn't necessarily likely. The first conveys a sense of near certainty while the second conveys a sense of uncertainty.