are nearing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are nearing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is approaching or getting closer to a particular point in time or a specific condition. Example: "As the deadline approaches, we are nearing the final stages of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Ever-better days are nearing!

The New Yorker

Now they are nearing 60.

The New York Times

The Olympics are nearing.

The Guardian

The robots, it seems, are nearing Irkutsk.

The New York Times

"We are nearing Iron Gate.

The Guardian

You are nearing the lights, either at.

The New Yorker

Stadiums and sporting venues are nearing completion.

The New York Times

We are nearing Social Security's greatest test.

The New York Times

ELECTIONS are nearing and Romanian politics is heating up.

The Economist

But many of those Euro-mandarins are nearing retirement.

The Economist

Similar labors are nearing completion in the House.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are nearing" to clearly indicate that something is approaching a specific point in time, a deadline, or a state of completion. It adds a sense of progress and anticipation to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "are nearing" with abstract concepts that do not have a quantifiable endpoint. For example, instead of saying "We are nearing understanding", which is vague, specify a milestone: "We are nearing a consensus on the budget."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are nearing" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action in progress, specifically describing the process of approaching a certain point, time, or condition. Ludwig AI confirms this is grammatically sound, and the examples show it in use across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

3%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are nearing" is a grammatically sound and versatile verb phrase used to indicate the process of approaching a specific point, time, or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific and business writing. While generally neutral in register, remember to use it with quantifiable endpoints. To avoid common errors, ensure you're not using it with abstract concepts that lack clear milestones. Alternatives like "are approaching" or "are getting close to" can provide variety in your writing while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are approaching

This alternative directly replaces "nearing" with its synonym "approaching", maintaining the same meaning with minimal change.

are getting close to

This alternative uses a more informal and descriptive construction, focusing on the idea of proximity.

are drawing near to

This alternative introduces a slightly more formal and evocative tone, emphasizing the gradual approach.

are on the verge of

This alternative emphasizes the imminence of the event or state, suggesting that it is about to happen.

are coming up on

This alternative is more colloquial and implies a point in time that is swiftly approaching.

are in sight of

This alternative uses a visual metaphor, indicating that the end or goal is visible and close.

are within reach of

This alternative suggests that the goal is attainable and close enough to be achieved.

are on the horizon

This alternative uses a broader metaphor, indicating that something is expected to happen in the future, though not necessarily immediately.

are advancing toward

This alternative suggests forward movement, implying progress toward a specific target or outcome.

are progressing toward

This alternative highlights the continuous and steady advancement towards a particular goal or milestone.

FAQs

How do I use "are nearing" in a sentence?

Use "are nearing" to indicate that something is approaching a particular point, time, or condition. For example, "The holidays "are nearing"" or "The project completion dates "are nearing".

What can I say instead of "are nearing"?

You can use alternatives like "are approaching", "are getting close to", or "are drawing near" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "are nearing completion" or "are nearing to completion"?

"Are nearing completion" is correct. The preposition "to" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect in this context. The verb "near" directly takes the object complement.

What is the difference between "are nearing" and "are almost"?

"Are nearing" suggests a process of approaching a point or condition, while "are almost" indicates that something is very close to being in a particular state. "Are nearing" focuses on the movement, while "are almost" focuses on the proximity to a final state.