are close to achieving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are close to achieving" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that someone is nearing the completion of a goal or objective. Example: "The team is working hard on the project and they are close to achieving their target deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

After four years of work, we believe that we are close to achieving our goal.

The New York Times

However, protocols that are close to achieving the performance bounds are still lacking.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Big business cronies of prime minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) are close to achieving Berlusconi-style domination of Indian television.

The Guardian - Books

Word should now go forth that supporters of the Shays-Meehan bill -- which would outlaw unregulated party donations by corporations, unions and rich individuals -- are close to achieving a goal that once seemed impossible.

The New York Times

The agitation of the settlers is probably heightened by their sense that they are close to achieving their goal of permanently neutralizing the prospect of a two-state separation.

The New York Times

The Ukrainians are close to achieving two important objectives: surrounding Donetsk, the region's biggest city, and establishing some control over border crossings through which Russia has been sending arms convoys.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

It has been a lot harder than it looks-and now they are closer to achieving it than ever before.

Forbes

Some technologies are closer to achieving this than others, for example IBM Watson has come a long way, proven by 'his' Jeopardy win over the 74-consecutive-time champion Ken Jennings.

HuffPost

The possible explanation may be due to that relatively older PLHIV have already achieved, or are closer to achieving, their desired family size than younger PLHIV.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

This may be due to relatively PLHIV who have longer marital duration have already achieved, or are closer to achieving, their desired family size than shorter marital length PLHIVs'.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Diesel is close to achieving the same transparency.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always ensure the subject of the verb phrase "are close to achieving" is plural. For singular subjects, use "is close to achieving".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase in the past tense when the achievement is still ongoing. Also, ensure subject-verb agreement; use "is close to achieving" for singular subjects and "are close to achieving" for plural subjects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are close to achieving" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that a subject is in the final stages of accomplishing a specific objective. Ludwig's examples showcase its use across various contexts to express nearness to success.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

2.5%

Reference

2.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are close to achieving" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey that a subject is nearing the successful completion of a goal. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in diverse contexts, from news and media to science and formal business settings. While maintaining a neutral register, it effectively communicates progress and the high likelihood of success, according to Ludwig AI.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are on the verge of achieving

Replaces "close to" with "on the verge of", emphasizing the imminence of achievement.

are nearing achievement of

Uses "nearing achievement of" instead of "close to achieving", providing a more formal tone.

are approaching the attainment of

Substitutes "close" with "approaching" and "achieving" with "attainment of", resulting in a more formal and sophisticated expression.

are within reach of achieving

Emphasizes that the goal is attainable by using "within reach of achieving".

are on track to achieve

Indicates progress and a high likelihood of success.

are drawing near to achieving

Uses "drawing near" to highlight the gradual process of nearing the goal.

are on the cusp of achieving

Indicates that achievement is imminent and exciting.

are in the process of achieving

Focuses on the ongoing effort and the state of progression towards achieving the goal.

are about to achieve

Indicates an immediate future event.

are verging on achieving

Highlights the state of being very close to achieving something, implying a slight chance of failure.

FAQs

How do I use "are close to achieving" in a sentence?

Use "are close to achieving" to indicate that a person or group is nearing the successful completion of a goal. For example: "The scientists are close to achieving a breakthrough in their research."

What can I say instead of "are close to achieving"?

You can use alternatives like "are on the verge of achieving", "are nearing achievement of", or "are approaching the attainment of depending on the context".

Is it better to say "are close to achieving" or "have almost achieved"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "Are close to achieving" implies an ongoing process, while "have almost achieved" suggests that the goal is nearly complete. Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

What's the difference between "are close to achieving" and "are striving to achieve"?

"Are close to achieving" indicates nearing a goal, while "are striving to achieve" implies effort and struggle towards a goal. One focuses on proximity to success, the other on the effort being exerted.