close to overwhelming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to overwhelming" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or feeling that is nearly too much to handle or very intense. Example: "The amount of support I received after my presentation was close to overwhelming, leaving me speechless."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

He comes close to overwhelming his characters with his own inimitable, trivia-dense voice, but ultimately he creates a tender vision of modern life, one in which preoccupations with popular culture are an imperfect carapace for the vulnerable hearts underneath.

The New Yorker

Kavenna pursues the causes and trajectory of a nervous breakdown with a relentlessness that comes close to overwhelming the minimal plot; still, her understanding of the complexity of depression and her evocation of her heroine's bewilderment are precise, and Rosa, for all her misery, has an appealing and often funny voice.

The New Yorker

As Platt notes, the Taiping movement came close to overwhelming traditional ways and bringing China into the modern world.

The New York Times - Books

The general effect can be close to overwhelming, but oddly hope-inducing, at least in terms of the civic will both to recover and remember that is demonstrated.

The New York Times - Arts

The general effect can be close to overwhelming, but oddly hope-inducing, at least in terms of the civic will to both recover and remember that is demonstrated.

The New York Times - Arts

The general effect can be close to overwhelming, but oddly hope-inducing, at least in terms of the civic will to recover and remember that is demonstrated.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

However, by 2001 BT was struggling to survive and was close to being overwhelmed by around £30bn in debts.

The Guardian - Business

The watchdog found that  detectives were close to being overwhelmed by a surge of domestic abuse cases that are blamed for the deaths of seven women every month.

Independent

Having been present at many of his performances, I can attest that you're often close to being overwhelmed by what you're hearing and seeing.

The New York Times - Books

Filmed in queasy close-up, they threaten to overwhelm this obviously troubled woman.

Independent

Alienated from most human society, living at a great distance from Paul the one family member close to her she finally was overwhelmed by her condition.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close to overwhelming", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. Is it the intensity of emotion, the difficulty of a task, or the sheer volume of something? Choose synonyms or related phrases that reflect that specific aspect.

Common error

Avoid using "close to overwhelming" when the situation is merely challenging or difficult. The phrase implies a near-breaking point, so reserve it for genuinely intense or difficult scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to overwhelming" functions as a qualifier, modifying a noun or situation by indicating the degree to which it approaches a state of being overwhelmed. Ludwig provides examples of its use in describing feelings, tasks, and situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close to overwhelming" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a situation or feeling that is nearing a point of being unmanageable or excessively intense. As clarified by Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English and conveys a sense of near-incapacity or extreme pressure. While the phrase appears in various sources, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts. When using "close to overwhelming", consider the specific nuance you want to convey and avoid overstating the intensity if the situation is only mildly challenging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly overpowering

Replaces "overwhelming" with a synonym emphasizing the potential for dominance.

almost unbearable

Shifts the focus to the difficulty of enduring something, implying a near-breaking point.

verging on crushing

Uses "crushing" to intensify the sense of being overwhelmed, suggesting a severe emotional impact.

on the brink of defeating

Emphasizes the potential for something to conquer or overcome a person or system.

bordering on inundating

Uses "inundating" to convey being flooded or saturated, creating a sense of being overwhelmed by quantity.

close to insurmountable

Shifts the focus to the difficulty of overcoming something, implying a nearly impossible challenge.

virtually insurmountable

Emphasizes near impossibility.

approaching devastating

Highlights the potential for something to cause significant damage or distress.

nearing unmanageable

Focuses on the loss of control, suggesting a situation that is almost impossible to handle.

approaching unendurable

Focuses on the inability to tolerate something, implying extreme discomfort or suffering.

FAQs

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

You can use "close to overwhelming" to describe feelings, situations, or tasks that are nearly too much to handle. For example: "The support was "almost unbearable"." or "The amount of information was "virtually insurmountable"".

What's the difference between "close to overwhelming" and "slightly overwhelming"?

"Close to overwhelming" suggests a much higher degree of intensity, implying that something is almost too much to bear. "Slightly overwhelming", on the other hand, indicates a mild sense of being burdened or challenged but still manageable.

What are some alternatives to "close to overwhelming"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "nearly overpowering", ""almost unbearable"", or "verging on crushing".

Is it appropriate to use "close to overwhelming" in formal writing?

While "close to overwhelming" is grammatically correct, consider whether a more precise or formal alternative might be better suited for academic or professional writing. For instance, "approaching unendurable" may sound more sophisticated, though less emotional.