close to finish

USAGE SUMMARY

"close to finish" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It indicates that something is nearly completed. For example: "We are close to finish with the renovations, just a few more tasks to go!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In practice, gathering works pretty well making boss-battles, for example, a matter of leading your attackers towards your Mage and archers, before going in close to finish the job yourself.

The Guardian - Tech

The Dow Jones industrial average, down more than 100 points heading into the 2 15 PM release of the Federal Open Market Committee's statement, actually flipped positive 30 minutes later before sinking into the close to finish the day 55 points lower at 10,644.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I'm close to finishing a novel.

The Guardian - Books

_____ of the 13 runners came close to finishing.

The New York Times

Back in Bowland, Stephen Murphy was close to finishing his PhD.

The Guardian

None of the 13 runners came close to finishing.

The New York Times - Sports

Dyke said: "We are quite close to finishing that".

The Guardian - Sport

Applicants must hold or be close to finishing a master's, doctoral, or law degree.

Harvard University

Colleagues said they were surprised because he was close to finishing his degree.

The Washington Post

The museum, which is mostly underground, is close to finished and will open next year.

The New Yorker

The remaining two English-language broadcasters, Fox and NBC, are close to finishing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close to finish", ensure the context clearly indicates what is nearing completion. For example, specify "close to finish the project" rather than just "close to finish" for clarity.

Common error

While "close to finish" is acceptable, consider stronger alternatives like "nearing completion" or "almost complete" in formal reports or academic papers for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to finish" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating proximity to the end of a process or task. As Ludwig suggests, it signifies that something is nearly completed. It often modifies a verb, specifying the state of being near completion.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close to finish" is a grammatically correct way to express that something is nearing completion. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not exceedingly common, and best suited for neutral or informal registers, it effectively communicates proximity to a final stage. Alternative phrases like "nearing completion" or "almost done" may be preferred in more formal settings. Therefore, when writing, consider the context and audience to select the most appropriate expression of near completion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearing completion

Focuses on the process of becoming complete, subtly shifting from proximity to the end to the process itself.

on the verge of completion

Emphasizes being at the very edge of finishing.

almost done

A more informal way to express near completion.

about to conclude

Highlights the imminent conclusion of something.

approaching the end

Focuses on the movement towards the final stage.

drawing to a close

Evokes a sense of gradual ending, differing in imagery from abrupt finishing.

on the final stretch

Similar to "in the home stretch", indicating the last phase.

in the home stretch

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

nearing the finale

Highlights the imminent finale.

virtually complete

Implies that something is so close to being finished that it is effectively complete.

FAQs

What does "close to finish" mean?

The phrase "close to finish" means something is nearing its end or is almost completed. It indicates that the task or process is in its final stages.

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

You can use alternatives like "nearing completion", "almost done", or "about to conclude" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "close to finish" or "close to finishing"?

"Close to finishing" is grammatically more standard because "finishing" is a gerund (noun form of the verb), which typically follows prepositions like "to". "Close to finish" is less common but can be acceptable in certain informal contexts.

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

Here's an example: "The team is "close to finish" the project ahead of schedule".