close to reaching

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to reaching" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to describe an object or goal that is almost, but not quite, achieved. For example: "We are close to reaching our goal of raising $5,000 for charity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Project Almanac never comes close to reaching its poppish zip.

The Guardian - Film

The Redskins are getting close to reaching the top again.

The Washington Post

Portugal were close to reaching the final at Euro 2012.

The Guardian - Sport

Early Wednesday, both sides had indicated that they were close to reaching a settlement.

The New York Times

We are close to reaching our goal and giving these oppressed women a chance at freedom.

The New York Times

His campaign said that he was close to reaching the maximum for the primary.

The New York Times

The agency is close to reaching a settlement with the firm, according to these people.

The New York Times

So close to reaching land, the migrants were now tossed into the sea.

The New York Times

The veteran Jeff Garcia visited the Philadelphia Eagles yesterday and appeared close to reaching an agreement.

The New York Times

"It's really quite disappointing because we weren't close to reaching our goal," Dr. Moore said.

The New York Times - Health

"They're close to reaching some conclusions," one official said of the president and his top aides.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close to reaching" when you want to express that a goal, target, or agreement is nearly achieved but not yet fully realized. This phrase is useful in both formal and informal contexts to indicate progress and near-completion.

Common error

Avoid using "close to reaching" when the goal has already been achieved or is certain to be achieved imminently. Instead, use phrases like "has reached", "has attained", or "is set to achieve" to reflect the definite completion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to reaching" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate proximity to achieving a specific goal or state. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing progress towards targets or agreements, aligning with Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close to reaching" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression that indicates near completion or attainment of a goal. With 66 real-world examples, Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability across various contexts, from news and media to formal business settings. The phrase is versatile and can be used in many situations to convey that something is on the verge of being achieved. Remember to use it when describing progress, but avoid it when the goal is already reached. Alternatives like "almost attaining" or "on the verge of achieving" can provide nuanced variations. This guide offers practical advice and anticipates common linguistic questions, providing a thorough understanding of how to effectively use "close to reaching" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost attaining

Emphasizes the action of achieving something, focusing on the almost completed attainment.

on the verge of achieving

Highlights the imminence of achievement, suggesting a crucial point is near.

nearing completion of

Focuses on the process of finishing a task or goal, indicating that it's almost done.

approaching the accomplishment of

Stresses the act of moving closer to fulfilling something, with a formal tone.

drawing near to finalizing

Implies that the end of a process is imminent, specifically in terms of finalizing something.

about to accomplish

Highlights the anticipation of achieving something very soon.

on the cusp of realizing

Emphasizes the point just before something becomes a reality or is understood.

at the threshold of attaining

Indicates being at the very beginning of achieving something significant.

in the vicinity of achieving

Suggests a general nearness to a specific objective, using a more descriptive approach.

practically accomplishing

Indicates an action that is so near completion that it is, for all intents and purposes, done.

FAQs

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

The phrase "close to reaching" indicates that something is nearing completion or attainment. For example, "The company is close to reaching its sales target for the quarter" or "Negotiations are close to reaching a final agreement".

What are some alternatives to "close to reaching"?

You can use alternatives such as "almost attaining", "on the verge of achieving", or "nearing completion of" depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, "close to reaching" is appropriate for formal writing as it is a clear and professional way to indicate near-completion of a goal or objective. Its usage in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian supports its acceptability in formal contexts.

What's the difference between "close to reaching" and "has reached"?

"Close to reaching" implies that the goal has not yet been fully achieved, while "has reached" indicates that the goal has been successfully completed. For example, saying "The project is close to reaching its deadline" means it is nearing completion, but "The project has reached its deadline" means it is finished.