close to closing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to closing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is nearing its conclusion or finalization, such as a deal, event, or process. Example: "The negotiations are close to closing, and we expect to finalize the agreement by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Now, it's close to closing a seed round of funding.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Those factories came close to closing in the Nineties, when the company suffered financial difficulties.

Independent

Most important, we have a few partnership deals that are close to closing.

The New York Times

Any gains made in recent years do not come even remotely close to closing that gap.

The New York Times - Books

A At this point we have several proposals out for review, but we're not close to closing any deals.

The New York Times

And the Chicago Mercantile Exchange is close to closing its acquisition of the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

"It's not close to close".

The New York Times

Then came the 2008 race, and the vote in New Mexico wasn't close to close.

The New York Times

Click "Close" to close down the app.

WikiHow

Tap close to close an article.

WikiHow

Tap the red circle on the app you want to close to close it.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing ongoing negotiations or deals, use "close to closing" to convey that the final agreement is expected soon. It adds a sense of anticipation.

Common error

Avoid using "close to closing" when the outcome is still uncertain. This phrase implies a high probability of completion, so reserve it for situations where success is nearly guaranteed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to closing" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used adverbially to modify verbs or adjectives. It describes the state of something being near completion, particularly in business or transactional contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close to closing" is a commonly used prepositional phrase indicating that something is nearing completion, especially in the context of business deals, negotiations, or financial transactions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and best used when conveying a high likelihood of finalization. It's crucial to reserve this expression for situations where success is almost guaranteed to avoid misrepresenting the actual progress. While the phrase appears across various sources, it is most frequently found in news and business media. Consider using alternatives like "nearing completion" or "approaching finalization" depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearing completion

Focuses on the progress towards being complete.

approaching finalization

Emphasizes the act of making something final or official is almost done.

on the verge of completion

Highlights the imminence of completion.

about to conclude

Emphasizes the action of ending or finishing soon.

nearing the end

Focuses on the proximity to the termination point.

drawing to a close

Indicates a gradual nearing of the end.

in the final stages

Highlights being within the last steps or phases.

on the homestretch

An idiomatic expression for the final part of a race or project.

virtually complete

Implies that it's so close to completion that it can be considered nearly finished.

all but done

Suggests that only minimal work remains.

FAQs

What does "close to closing" mean in business?

In a business context, "close to closing" typically means that a deal, negotiation, or transaction is nearing its final stages and is expected to be completed soon. It suggests that all major hurdles have been cleared, and only minor details remain to be finalized.

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

You might say, "The company is "close to closing" a major funding round" or "Negotiations are "close to closing", and we anticipate an announcement next week".

What's the difference between "nearing completion" and "close to closing"?

"Nearing completion" refers to the process of almost finishing something, applicable to many different types of projects, while "close to closing" is more specifically used in the context of deals, agreements, or transactions that are about to be finalized. You can use alternatives like "nearing completion" and "approaching finalization".

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "nearing completion", "approaching finalization", or "on the verge of completion".