be nearing

USAGE SUMMARY

"be nearing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is approaching or drawing near, either in the present or future. For example, "The end of the school year is fast approaching, and we are nearing graduation day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Brazil seems to be nearing the bottom.

The Economist

Perhaps this saga might be nearing its end.

The Economist

Still, the investigation seemed to be nearing a conclusion.

The New Yorker

The Michael era may be nearing an end.

The New York Times

The area may finally be nearing its tipping point.

The New York Times - Travel

The good times may be nearing an end.

The New York Times

After several months, that inquiry may be nearing its end.

The New York Times

"I must be nearing the end of my productive career.

The Guardian - Books

Could the current drought be nearing an end?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

If she were alive today, JonBenet would be nearing her 23rd birthday on August 6.

Huffington Post

Two rivals, Eclipse Surgical Technologies and Cardiogenesis, may be nearing their own FDA panel hearings.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be nearing" when you want to convey a sense of progress and anticipation towards a specific event or outcome. For example, "The project is nearing completion, and we expect to launch it next month".

Common error

Avoid using "be nearing" to describe static locations or states. It's best suited for situations involving movement or progression over time. For instance, instead of saying "The house is nearing the park", consider "The house is near the park".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be nearing" functions as a progressive verb, indicating an ongoing process of approaching a specific point, time, or condition. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in contexts ranging from project completion to the end of eras, highlighting its dynamic nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

24%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be nearing" is a versatile and frequently used phrase to indicate that something is approaching a particular state, time, or condition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness for various contexts. While commonly found in news and academic writing, it is crucial to avoid using it to describe static states. Remember to consider alternative phrases like "be approaching" or "be drawing near" for nuanced expression. The phrase is appropriate for a neutral register and often anticipates an imminent event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be approaching

Focuses on the act of drawing closer, similar to "be nearing" but slightly more general.

be drawing near

Emphasizes the reduction in distance or time remaining, often suggesting anticipation or expectation.

be coming closer

Highlights the progressive aspect of reducing distance, whether physical or metaphorical.

be on the verge of

Indicates being very close to a specific state or occurrence, implying imminence.

be on the cusp of

Similar to "be on the verge of", suggesting a transition point or a moment of significant change.

be about to

Expresses immediate future action or occurrence, implying a very short time frame.

be in sight of

Suggests that a goal or destination is visible or attainable, providing a sense of nearing completion.

be within reach of

Indicates that a goal or outcome is practically achievable or attainable.

be heading towards

Focuses on the direction of movement or progress, without necessarily implying imminent arrival.

be progressing toward

Emphasizes continuous advancement towards a specific goal or state.

FAQs

How can I use "be nearing" in a sentence?

Use "be nearing" to indicate that something is approaching a particular state or point in time. For example, "The deadline is nearing, so we need to finalize the report."

What are some alternatives to "be nearing"?

You can use alternatives like "be approaching", "be drawing near", or "be coming closer" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is nearing to" instead of "be nearing"?

No, the correct form is "be nearing". The preposition "to" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect in this context. For example, "The ship is nearing the coast" is correct.

What's the difference between "be nearing" and "be near"?

"Be nearing" implies a process of getting closer to something, whereas "be near" indicates proximity at a given moment. For instance, "The concert is nearing" suggests the event is approaching, while "The concert is near" means it's in close physical proximity.