close to finishing

USAGE SUMMARY

"close to finishing" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is nearly complete, like in the sentence: "I'm close to finishing my research project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm close to finishing a novel.

The Guardian - Books

None of the 13 runners came close to finishing.

The New York Times - Sports

_____ of the 13 runners came close to finishing.

The New York Times

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

The Guardian - Sport

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

The Washington Post

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

Harvard University

Two have formed national governments, but neither came close to finishing a full term.

The New York Times

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

The Guardian

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

The New York Times

The authority is also close to finishing its underwater inspections of the train line's bridges.

The New York Times

Gerspacher, who came so close to finishing last year's marathon, says he holds no such regrets.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close to finishing" to clearly communicate that a task, project, or activity is nearing its end. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Don't use "close to finishing" if the project is only partially done. Ensure you're genuinely near the end to avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to finishing" functions as a descriptive phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something is in the late stages of completion. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close to finishing" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that something is nearing completion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and used across various contexts, from news reports and academic papers to everyday conversations. It functions as a descriptive phrase, providing information about the progress of a task or project. While appropriate for both formal and informal settings, it's important to ensure that you are genuinely near the end of the task before using this phrase to avoid miscommunication. Alternatives like "nearing completion" or "almost done" can be used depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearing completion

Emphasizes the process of approaching completion, suggesting steady progress.

virtually complete

Emphasizes that something is essentially finished, with only minor details remaining.

on the verge of completion

Suggests a more dramatic or imminent sense of finishing.

in the final stages

Highlights that only the last steps remain.

almost done

A more informal way of saying something is nearly complete.

approaching the end

A straightforward way to indicate the end is near.

nearing the end

Similar to 'approaching the end', but with a slight emphasis on proximity.

about to conclude

Focuses on the concluding aspect, suitable for formal contexts.

drawing to a close

Evokes a sense of gradual ending, often used for events or periods.

on the home stretch

An idiomatic expression indicating the final part of a task or journey.

FAQs

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

You can use "close to finishing" to describe the state of a task, project, or activity that is nearing completion. For example, "I am "close to finishing" my novel", or "The construction is "close to finishing".".

What are some alternatives to "close to finishing"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "nearing completion", "almost done", or "on the verge of completion".

Is "close to finished" grammatically correct, or should I use "close to finishing"?

"Close to finished" is also acceptable but less common. "Close to finishing" emphasizes the ongoing process, while "close to finished" focuses on the state of being finished.

What's the difference between "close to finishing" and "almost finished"?

While both phrases indicate near completion, ""close to finishing"" can imply a continuous action that is still in progress, whereas "almost finished" suggests a state very near to completion but may not emphasize the ongoing action.