as war approaches

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as war approaches" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the impending onset of conflict or military action. Example: "The tension in the region has been rising steadily as war approaches, leaving many citizens anxious about the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The characters become acutely watchful as war approaches.

The New York Times - Books

Isn't it time, as war approaches yet again, that each of us tells those stories of a possible peace over and over again?

The Guardian - Books

And Andrew assiduously follows current events in the newspaper, forming his own eccentric and increasingly paranoid ideas about the universe, especially as war approaches.

The New York Times - Books

Sardonic, apparently cynical, Harry knows everyone, cuts deals, cultivates connections and is thoroughly despised by the expatriate community as a grifter and, as war approaches, a pro-Japanese turncoat.

The New York Times - Books

See my columns for Feb. 3 and Mar. 3 (available at www.forbes.com/lehmann) for my recommendations here, which have only gotten cheaper as war approaches.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

As war approached he enlisted in the Army Air Corps.

The New York Times

As war approached, most Iraqis I met seemed to be oddly neutral about the prospect.

The New Yorker

Goebbels remained outside the inner circle of decision-makers as war approached.

The Guardian - Books

As war approached, Mr. Hindassi said he and other businessmen began pulling money out of the banks and buying dollars.

The New York Times

As war approached, hundreds of correspondents, photographers and camera operators passed through Britain, attending "hostile environment" training courses and buying satellite phones, helmets, chemical warfare suits and respirators.

The New York Times

Early in 1941, responding to pressures for broader black participation as war approached, the Roosevelt administration told the War Department to create a black flying unit.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as war approaches" to create a sense of foreboding or anticipation in your writing, signaling a shift in circumstances or character perspectives. It effectively sets the stage for conflict and its consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "as war approaches" interchangeably with phrases that denote the actual beginning of war, such as "when war breaks out" or "at the start of the war". The former sets the scene; the latter describes the event itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as war approaches" functions as a temporal conjunction, indicating the time period leading up to a war. Ludwig examples show it setting a scene or describing a shift in circumstances.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as war approaches" functions as a temporal conjunction, setting a scene of anticipation before conflict. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, indicating that it is suitable for use in various contexts, particularly in news, media, and literature. While the phrase is relatively rare, it conveys a sense of foreboding and impending change. When using "as war approaches", writers should focus on depicting the circumstances and shifts that precede the outbreak of war, differentiating it from phrases that describe the war's actual commencement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as war nears

Uses a more direct synonym for "approaches".

with war impending

Indicates that war is imminent and about to occur.

with war on the horizon

Replaces the temporal conjunction with a spatial metaphor, suggesting the war is an event drawing near.

as conflict looms

Substitutes "war" with "conflict" and "approaches" with "looms", implying a threatening presence.

in the lead-up to war

Specifies the period preceding the war.

on the brink of war

Indicates a state of being very close to war.

in anticipation of war

Focuses on the expectation of war rather than the approach itself.

with the threat of war growing

Emphasizes the increasing danger of war.

before the outbreak of war

Highlights the period leading up to the start of war.

as the drums of war beat louder

Uses a metaphor to suggest increasing war tensions.

FAQs

How can I use "as war approaches" in a sentence?

Use "as war approaches" to describe the period leading up to a conflict. For example: "The characters become acutely watchful "as war approaches"."

What are some alternatives to "as war approaches"?

You can use alternatives such as "with war on the horizon", "as conflict looms", or "in anticipation of war", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "as the war approaches"?

Yes, "as the war approaches" is grammatically correct and similar in meaning to "as war approaches". Adding "the" specifies a particular war being referenced.

What is the difference between "as war approaches" and "when war starts"?

"As war approaches" refers to the time leading up to the war, while "when war starts" refers to the moment the war begins. The first indicates anticipation, the second, the actual commencement.