close to accomplishing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to accomplishing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is nearly finished with a task or goal. Example: "We are close to accomplishing our project goals, and I believe we will meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

This season, only Maryland has come close to accomplishing this.

The New York Times - Sports

Whenever Hanoi came close to accomplishing what Vessey and others said was required for normalization, McCain says, "we kept moving the goalposts on them".

The New Yorker

Centers Michael Olowokandi, Brad Miller and Rasho Nesterovic are next in line, but none have come close to accomplishing what Mourning has.

The New York Times - Sports

Though no campaign book has come close to accomplishing what Cramer's did, he taught a generation of political writers that the two pillars of great nonfiction — immersive reporting and expert storytelling — could turn even a mediocre campaign into high drama.

The New Yorker

With NATO intelligence services recently noting that the Taliban still have a "shadow government" in 33 of Afghanistan's 34 provinces, it's hard to say we're close to accomplishing that feat.

The New York Times

Coming in response to the detainee hunger strikers, whose numbers increase every day, Obama's comments suggest that the inmates are close to accomplishing what others opposed to the prison have not: they're making it necessary that their cases get resolved.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

But no country in the region has come closer to accomplishing this trick, warts and all, than Turkey.

The New York Times

A resounding victory in Iowa might have come closer to accomplishing that, but not one with these aesthetics.

The New York Times

"But any land they occupy will not bring them any closer to accomplishing this aim, which is to remove our leader and replace him with another leader of their choice.

The New York Times

Only Graham Hill has won all three, and the current driver who is closest to accomplishing it is Juan-Pablo Montoya, who won the Indianapolis 500 in 2000 and Monaco in 2003, while driving for the McLaren team, but who currently races in Nascar.

The New York Times - Sports

At Rensselaer an actress and two musicians will present "The Technophobe" section; at N.Y.U. an actor and two more musicians will simultaneously present "The Madman" portion, but the performance is meant to be seamless, and at the moment Internet2 comes closest to accomplishing that.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close to accomplishing" when you want to convey that a task or goal is nearing its completion. It's best suited when the final result is highly probable.

Common error

Avoid using "close to accomplishing" for long-term or uncertain goals. It implies near completion, which might mislead readers if the goal is still far off.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to accomplishing" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun. According to Ludwig, it indicates the state of nearing the completion or achievement of something. It suggests proximity to a desired outcome.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close to accomplishing" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate that a task or goal is nearing completion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific domains. While the phrase is not overly frequent, it is consistently used to convey progress and anticipation. Alternatives like "nearly achieving" or "on the verge of completion" can be used for variety, but it's important to avoid misusing the phrase for long-term or uncertain goals. Be aware that it implies near completion, which might mislead readers if the goal is still far off.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly achieving

Implies almost reaching a goal, focusing on the action of achieving.

on the verge of completion

Highlights the state of being just before something is finished.

approaching fulfillment

Focuses on the progress towards satisfying a need or desire.

nearing attainment

Emphasizes the act of gaining or acquiring something.

almost realizing

Highlights the aspect of making something real or understanding it fully.

close to succeeding

Focuses on the positive outcome of achieving success.

on the cusp of achieving

Indicates being at the very edge of reaching a desired outcome.

within reach of achieving

Suggests that the goal is easily attainable.

drawing near to accomplishing

Emphasizes the gradual progression towards the goal.

virtually accomplishing

Implies that the act of achieving is as good as done.

FAQs

What does "close to accomplishing" mean?

The phrase "close to accomplishing" means nearly achieving or completing something. It implies that the goal is within reach and likely to be realized soon.

How can I use "close to accomplishing" in a sentence?

You can use "close to accomplishing" in a sentence like this: "We are "close to accomplishing" our project goals, and I believe we will meet the deadline."

Which is a better alternative: "close to completing" or "close to starting"?

The better alternative depends on the context. "Close to completing" suggests nearing the end of a task, while "close to starting" implies the task is about to begin. They have opposite meanings.

What can I say instead of "close to accomplishing"?

You can use alternatives like "nearly achieving", "on the verge of completion", or "almost realizing" depending on the specific context.