as the holiday approaches

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as the holiday approaches" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a time frame leading up to a holiday, often to discuss preparations or feelings associated with the upcoming event. Example: "As the holiday approaches, many people start to feel a sense of excitement and anticipation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

It's not unusual to see Christmas-themed films rise in box office as the holiday approaches.

The Guardian - Film

As the holiday approaches, his beaming face has been a fixture on the front pages of French newspapers.

The New York Times - Sports

Variations on the 'Nutcracker' The Sugar Plum Fairy and friends will appear on quite a few stages as the holiday approaches.

The New York Times

As the holiday approaches, the pan de muerto at Guadalupana also grows more elaborate, based on special orders or the whims of the bakers.

The New York Times - Food

As the holiday approaches, this acclaimed local chamber choir offers carols, chants, and motets for the Christmas feast days of Elizabethan England, sung in church and on the street.

The New Yorker

Nativity! went on to accumulate £5.2m during its 2009 run, 6.5 times its opening, thanks to positive word-of-mouth among its target audience of families, and the natural tendency of Christmas-themed movies to sustain and build as the holiday approaches.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Israel's security forces were out in large numbers today to guard against a possible attack as the holiday approached.

The New York Times

At Twitter, as the holiday approached, the words "turkey," "Thanksgiving" and "thankful" have been appearing in those 140-word posts more and more each year.

The New York Times - Tech

As the holidays approach, escapism is running rampant.

The New York Times

The good news, as the holidays approach, is that D.J.ing is fertile territory for gifts.

The New York Times - Tech

Now several thousand people use the service each month; the numbers doubled as the holidays approached.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as the holiday approaches" to set the stage for discussions about preparations, changes in behavior, or anticipated events related to the holiday. For example, "As the holiday approaches, stores begin to offer special deals."

Common error

While suitable for general writing, consider more formal alternatives like "in anticipation of the holiday" in academic or business documents to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as the holiday approaches" functions as an adverbial clause of time, setting the temporal context for the main clause. This is supported by Ludwig AI, indicating it is grammatically sound. It specifies when the action in the main clause occurs.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as the holiday approaches" is a grammatically correct and functional adverbial clause of time. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It’s used to set the temporal context, indicating events or situations occurring in the lead-up to a holiday. While not highly formal, it maintains a neutral tone, making it suitable for various contexts, especially news and media. Remember to consider alternatives like "with the holiday drawing near" for variety or in more formal settings. To enhance your writing, use this phrase to create a sense of anticipation and time-related context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with the holiday drawing near

Emphasizes the decreasing distance to the holiday.

as the festive season nears

Replaces "holiday" with "festive season", focusing on the celebratory aspect.

in the lead-up to the holiday

Highlights the preparatory period before the holiday.

as the holiday season looms

Uses "looms" to suggest the holiday's increasing presence or potential impact.

in anticipation of the holiday

Focuses on the feeling of excitement or expectation.

as the date of the holiday nears

Adds specificity by mentioning the date of the holiday.

with the impending arrival of the holiday

Emphasizes the certainty and imminence of the holiday.

as the holiday gets closer

A more casual and simplified way of expressing the same idea.

in the run-up to the holiday

Similar to "lead-up", indicating the period of preparation and build-up.

approaching the holiday period

Focuses on the entire holiday timeframe, not just a single day.

FAQs

How can I use "as the holiday approaches" in a sentence?

Use "as the holiday approaches" to introduce a situation or event that occurs in the time leading up to a specific holiday. For example: "As the holiday approaches, families start planning their gatherings".

What are some alternatives to saying "as the holiday approaches"?

You can use alternatives like "with the holiday drawing near", "in the lead-up to the holiday", or "in anticipation of the holiday" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "as the holidays approach" instead of "as the holiday approaches"?

Yes, "as the holidays approach" is also correct. Using "holidays" (plural) implies a broader period encompassing multiple holidays or the general holiday season.

What's the difference between "as the holiday approaches" and "when the holiday approaches"?

"As the holiday approaches" emphasizes the gradual process leading up to the holiday, whereas "when the holiday approaches" focuses more on a specific point in time closer to the holiday. The former is better for describing trends or preparations over time.