are now approaching

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are now approaching" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is currently getting closer or nearing a particular point in time or space. Example: "The storm clouds are now approaching, and we should prepare for rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Online sales are now approaching $200 billion a year in America.

The Economist

The country's total phone lines are now approaching 750,000, roughly two-thirds of them wireless.

The New York Times

His tiny field maple, rowan, hazel and hornbeam saplings are now approaching their first winter.

The Guardian

The "Young British Art" generation are now approaching or crossing that barrier.

The Guardian - Arts

Household net incomes per head in rural Luochuan are now approaching the average for the Chinese countryside.

The Economist

But several are now approaching planters to help revive dormant congregations, says Nicky Gumbel, vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton.

The Economist

The UN negotiations, which de Boer led as executive secretary of the UNFCCC, are now approaching a critical phase.

The Guardian

Operating margins at Cellnet have increased in the last year and are now approaching those of Vodafone.

The New York Times

Several artistic directors – including those of the Royal, New York City and San Francisco Ballets – are now approaching retirement age.

The Guardian

Rents for Class A space in the area are now approaching $40 a square foot, according to brokers.

The New York Times

We are now approaching the 11th hour for an international treaty intended to keep conventional weapons out of the hands of unscrupulous regimes and militants.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are now approaching" when you want to indicate that something is currently in the process of nearing a specific point, time, or level. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "are now approaching" when you intend to convey that something has already reached a certain point. Instead, consider phrases like "have reached" or "are at".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are now approaching" functions as a dynamic verb phrase indicating that a subject is currently in the process of getting closer to a specific point, time, or condition. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase accurately conveys the sense of nearing a particular state or target.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are now approaching" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to describe something that is currently in the process of nearing a specific point, time, or condition. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase accurately conveys a sense of nearing. It is versatile and suitable for various contexts, with primary usage in news, science, and business settings. When writing, ensure that you are accurately portraying an ongoing process of nearing rather than a completed action, and be mindful of subject-verb agreement. Considering alternatives like "are currently nearing" or "are drawing near" can add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are currently nearing

Replaces "now" with "currently", emphasizing the present time frame but with a slightly more formal tone.

are drawing near

Uses a more figurative expression to indicate that something is getting closer.

are getting closer to

Emphasizes the process of becoming nearer, with a more casual tone.

are on the verge of

Indicates that something is very close to happening or being reached.

are about to reach

Focuses on the imminence of reaching a certain point or level.

are coming up on

A more informal way to say that something is approaching, often used in conversation.

are in the process of approaching

Highlights the ongoing action of approaching something.

are steadily advancing towards

Emphasizes the consistent and gradual movement toward a goal or destination.

are progressively nearing

Stresses the gradual nature of approaching, often used in technical contexts.

are trending toward

Implies a general direction or pattern of movement toward a particular state or condition.

FAQs

How can I use "are now approaching" in a sentence?

Use "are now approaching" to describe something that is currently moving closer to a specific target or condition. For example, "The deadline for submissions "is now approaching", so be sure to submit your work soon."

What can I say instead of "are now approaching"?

You can use alternatives like "are currently nearing", "are drawing near", or "are getting closer to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is now approaching" instead of "are now approaching"?

No, the correct form depends on the subject. Use "is now approaching" for singular subjects (e.g., "The deadline is now approaching"), and use "are now approaching" for plural subjects (e.g., "The holidays are now approaching").

What's the difference between "are now approaching" and "will soon approach"?

"Are now approaching" indicates an ongoing process in the present, while "will soon approach" suggests a future event. The former emphasizes the current state of nearing something, whereas the latter focuses on an event that is expected to happen in the near future.