close to ending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to ending" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is nearing its conclusion or final stages. Example: "The project is close to ending, and we should prepare for the final presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I came close to ending it, I did.

BBC

Australia's joyous months of cricket are very close to ending.

The Guardian - Sport

That said, the crisis isn't close to ending, either.

The New York Times

This year, centralisation came close to ending the UK.

The Guardian - Opinion

The first period, evenly played, was close to ending with the score 0-0.

The New York Times - Sports

And at the time there was no indication that this game was close to ending.

The New York Times - Sports

There were a couple of occasions we felt we were close to ending it.

The New York Times

It is a high-wire act that is dangerously close to ending in disaster.

The Guardian - Sport

The Devils came close to ending another day with no points.

The New York Times - Sports

The problem was, the resulting movies were not coming anywhere close to ending Disney's dominance.

The New York Times

July 1st will come and go, but the disputes engendered by Vermont's ancient roads are nowhere close to ending.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close to ending" when you want to emphasize that something is nearing its conclusion, but not quite there yet. It's suitable for situations where the timing of the end is relevant.

Common error

While "close to ending" is acceptable, overuse in formal contexts might sound repetitive. Consider more sophisticated synonyms like "nearing completion" or "approaching its conclusion" for variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to ending" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating the state of approaching the final phase of an event, process, or period. Ludwig examples show its versatility in describing various scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close to ending" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that something is nearing its conclusion. Ludwig provides numerous real-world examples across diverse contexts, from news and sports to general discussions. While very common, it's beneficial to be mindful of context and register, and consider alternatives like "nearing completion" in more formal settings. According to Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for various writing needs, although awareness of potential overuse is advisable. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearing its end

Focuses on the process of approaching the final stage rather than the proximity to the end.

drawing to a close

Emphasizes a gradual and graceful conclusion.

on the verge of completion

Highlights the imminence of something being finished.

approaching its conclusion

Formally indicates that something is moving towards its final part.

about to finish

Indicates immediate future completion.

in the final stages

Specifically notes being in the last phase of something.

coming to a head

Implies a crisis or crucial point just before the end.

winding down

Suggests a gradual decrease in activity before the end.

reaching its culmination

Highlights the peak or climax right before the end.

on its last legs

Informally suggests something is failing and about to end.

FAQs

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

You can use "close to ending" to describe something that is nearing its conclusion. For example: "The project is "close to ending", and we need to finalize the report."

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

You can use alternatives like "nearing its end", "drawing to a close", or "on the verge of completion" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "near to ending" instead of "close to ending"?

While "near to ending" isn't incorrect, ""close to ending"" is more common and idiomatic. Therefore, "close to ending" is generally preferred.

What's the difference between "close to ending" and "already ended"?

"Close to ending" implies that something is almost finished but not quite, whereas "already ended" means it is completely finished.