close to done

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to done" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is nearly finished or completed. Example: "The project is close to done, and we should be able to submit it by the end of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Academia

Food

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

After 20 minutes, it should be close to done.

WikiHow

By now I must be sounding like a crank, but I'm not even close to done.

TechCrunch

It's quite close to done.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Their struggle isn't close to done.

The New York Times

Could it really be that close to done?

The New York Times

We all knew he was getting close to done.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

We are nowhere close to doing that.

Yale University

I was so close to doing it.

The Guardian

He came tantalizingly close to doing it.

The New York Times - Sports

They're so close to doing that.

The Guardian - Sport

"They were close to doing it".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing updates on progress, use "close to done" to manage expectations and indicate that completion is imminent.

Common error

Avoid using "close to done" prematurely if significant work remains. Overstating completion can lead to miscommunication and unmet expectations. Ensure you accurately assess the remaining effort before using this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to done" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its state of near-completion. It indicates that something is in its final stages. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

25%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Food

8%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close to done" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjectival phrase that indicates something is nearing completion. Ludwig provides several real-world examples spanning various contexts, including news, media, and academic writing. While generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "nearly complete" or "virtually complete" might be preferred in certain settings. Best practices involve using the phrase accurately to manage expectations, while common errors include overstating the imminence of completion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides context for effective use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost finished

Indicates a state of near completion, similar to "close to done", but with a slightly more direct emphasis on the finishing aspect.

nearly complete

Suggests that something is approaching a state of completion, similar in meaning but slightly more formal than "close to done".

nearing completion

Indicates that the process is advancing toward completion, more dynamic than "close to done".

on the verge of completion

Emphasizes the imminence of completion, implying that the final stage is about to be reached. More emphatic than "close to done".

practically finished

Similar to "virtually complete", indicating that something is so close to being finished that the remaining work is negligible.

virtually complete

Implies that for all practical purposes, something is complete, even if minor details remain. Stronger emphasis on completion than "close to done".

in the home stretch

An idiomatic expression indicating the final part of a process or activity, implying a sense of momentum and anticipation.

approaching the end

A more general way of saying something is nearing completion, less specific than "close to done".

drawing to a close

Suggests a gradual and natural end, often used for events or periods of time rather than specific tasks.

about to wrap up

Informal and indicates an imminent conclusion or finishing point, typically for projects or tasks.

FAQs

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

You can use "close to done" to indicate that something is nearly finished. For example, "The renovations are "close to done", and we expect to move in next week".

What are some alternatives to "close to done"?

Alternatives include "almost finished", "nearly complete", or "on the verge of completion", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "close to done" in a formal setting?

Yes, "close to done" is generally acceptable in both formal and informal settings. However, in very formal contexts, you might prefer alternatives like "nearing completion" or "virtually complete".

What does "close to done" imply about the amount of work remaining?

"Close to done" suggests that only a small amount of work remains to be completed. It indicates that the major tasks are finished, and only minor details or final touches are needed.