close to being ready

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to being ready" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is nearly prepared or almost complete. Example: "The project is close to being ready for presentation, just a few final touches are needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Usage

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

"Plus, I wasn't even close to being ready".

The New York Times - Sports

"I think he's close to being ready," said Randy Knorr, the Syracuse manager.

The New York Times - Sports

"I don't think the girls were even close to being ready.

The New York Times - Sports

But the doctor seems to think he should be quite close to being ready for Wednesday.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite all this progress, we're not close to being ready to mass-produce an electric car.

The New York Times

The technology isn't close to being ready and will pose no threat to Russia's huge arsenal.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

For those kids who aren't even close to be ready to ride rides that are too intense for them, they do have parent switch-offs, so the parents can take in the ride separately.

WikiHow

"They're more mature and they're closer to being ready for the big leagues".

The New York Times - Sports

Abraham seems closer to being ready, but RAY MICKENS will start and Abraham may play in the nickel package.

The New York Times - Sports

The one that's closest to being ready to lift straight out of "My Life" is the story of his family and his childhood.

The New Yorker

Perhaps closest to being ready for going driverless is the electric car specialist Tesla Motors, whose chief executive, tech pioneer Elon Musk, unveiled a software update last week that would allow its cars to autosteer and park.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close to being ready", ensure the context clearly defines what 'ready' means. For example, "The software is close to being ready for beta testing."

Common error

Be realistic about the degree of preparedness. If significant work remains, consider using phrases like "under development" or "making progress" instead of "close to being ready."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to being ready" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a state of near completion or preparedness. Ludwig shows it’s commonly used to describe the state of projects, technologies, or individuals.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sports

25%

General Usage

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close to being ready" is a commonly used phrase to describe something nearing completion, as validated by Ludwig's analysis of numerous sources. The phrase is grammatically correct and primarily used in news, sports, and general contexts. While it's a neutral expression, it’s important to ensure the context clearly defines what 'ready' means and to avoid overstating the actual degree of preparedness. Alternatives such as "almost ready" or "nearly ready" can be used depending on the context. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is a valid and widely accepted expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost ready

Replaces "close to" with "almost", indicating a high degree of readiness.

nearly ready

Substitutes "close to" with "nearly", conveying a similar sense of near completion.

on the verge of readiness

Replaces "close to" with "on the verge of", emphasizing the imminence of readiness.

approaching readiness

Uses "approaching" to indicate a movement towards a state of readiness.

nearing completion

Focuses on the completion aspect, implying that readiness is tied to the task being finished.

drawing near to readiness

Emphasizes the gradual process of becoming ready.

becoming ready soon

Highlights the expectation of readiness in the near future.

in the final stages of preparation

Focuses on the preparation process and its almost complete status.

in the home stretch

Idiomatic expression indicating the final part of a process, nearly ready.

just about ready

Adds a conversational tone, emphasizing the proximity to being fully ready.

FAQs

How can I use "close to being ready" in a sentence?

You can use "close to being ready" to indicate that something is nearing completion or a state of preparedness. For example: "The prototype is close to being ready for demonstration."

What can I say instead of "close to being ready"?

You can use alternatives like "almost ready", "nearly ready", or "on the verge of readiness" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "close to being ready" or "almost being ready"?

"Close to being ready" is generally preferred and more common in formal writing. "Almost being ready" is less common but not necessarily incorrect.

What does it mean when something is "close to being ready"?

It means that the thing in question is in the final stages of preparation and is expected to be fully ready soon. It implies that most of the work has been completed.