close to expire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'close to expire' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in instances where something is nearly reaching its end or is about to end. For example, "The coupon was close to expire and we had to use it before it ran out."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A node may receive and enqueue a packet whose remaining lifetime is close to expire.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Rugby was "very, very close" to expiring, Eugster said.

The New York Times - Sports

Favre said his body would give out before his arm ever did, though neither one seems close to expiring.

The New York Times - Sports

State officials also tried to donate the vaccine to the Nelson Mandela Foundation in South Africa, but officials there blocked the transaction because the doses were close to expiring.

The New York Times

The Knicks' season is close to expiring because they blew a 37-19 second-quarter leandand lost by 88-79 on Wednesday in Game 5.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's hard to understand he was that close to expiring, and then wins the biggest event of the year," Chase said.

The Washington Post

After a startlingly rotten performance at St Mary's, Newcastle lie bottom of the Premier League and patience with Alan Pardew seems close to expiring.

The Guardian - Sport

But many of these patents were obtained in the genomics gold rush of the late 1990s and are either close to expiring or have been allowed to lapse for not being useful.

The New York Times

For more on the Mars rover, Spirit, which may be close to expiring, click here.

Science Magazine

The Blues' previous agreement to play at the ground was close to expiring but they have signed new terms with Cheshire West and Chester Council.

BBC

On top of that SnipSnap also lets you know when individual coupons are close to expiring, so you can plan your next shopping trip(s) accordingly.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about perishable goods, use "close to expire" to prompt timely action. For example: 'Check the refrigerator for items that are "close to expire" to reduce food waste.'

Common error

Avoid using "close to expire" when something is already expired. This undermines the purpose of the phrase, which is to signal an impending deadline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to expire" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating that the noun is approaching its expiration date or end of validity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "close to expire" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to indicate that something is nearing its expiration date. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and everyday communications. Remember to use it to signal an impending deadline or loss of validity, prompting timely action. While alternatives like "nearing expiration" or "almost expired" exist, "close to expire" provides a clear and universally understood message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearing expiration

Focuses on the process of approaching the expiration date.

almost expired

Emphasizes the near completion of the expiration period.

about to lapse

Suggests an imminent termination or invalidation.

on the verge of expiring

Highlights the precarious state of being just before expiration.

approaching its expiration date

Details the movement towards the final date of validity.

near its end

General expression indicating the proximity of something's conclusion.

running out

Expresses a depletion of time or resources leading to an end.

becoming invalid soon

Implies a future state of being no longer valid.

at the tail end

Indicates being in the final part or stage of something.

reaching its sell-by date

A more specific phrase relevant to perishable items.

FAQs

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

You can use "close to expire" to indicate that something is nearing its expiration date. For example, "The milk is "close to expire", so we should use it soon."

What is a good alternative to "close to expire"?

Alternatives include "nearing expiration", "almost expired", or "about to lapse", depending on the specific context.

What does it mean when something is "close to expire"?

When something is "close to expire", it means that it is nearing the date after which it should not be used or will no longer be valid. This is commonly used with food, coupons, and contracts.

Is it safe to use something that is "close to expire"?

It depends on the item. For food, it's best to assess its condition and use your judgment. For coupons or contracts, using them before the expiration date is recommended to ensure validity.