close to settling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to settling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that a situation or issue is nearly resolved or finalized. Example: "After several discussions, we are now close to settling the terms of the agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

The hospital is close to settling the case.

The New York Times

Thomas appears to be close to settling on a rotation.

The New York Times

The Icelander, shooting from left to right, was tantalisingly close to settling it.

The Guardian - Sport

The service is close to settling 100 of those cases, Mr. Thompson said.

The New York Times

It is close to settling with asbestos claimants for up to $2.7bn.

The Guardian - Business

Citigroup was close to settling that suit last week for a sum reported to be about $200 million.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Oil prices set another record high overnight, but crude fell 7 cents from Wednesday's close to settle at $114.86 a barrel Thursday on the New York Mercantile Exchange, the contract's first closing decline in a week.

The New York Times

He is also deeply involved in a group of radically conservative Anglo-Catholics known, somewhat perversely, as Forward in Faith, some of whom first approached the Vatican about terms of conversion in the early nineties, when the ordination of women priests was close to settled.

The New Yorker

Macedonia is no closer to settling its longstanding squabble with Greece over its name.

The Economist

It was after that rally, aides said, that Clinton moved closer to settling on Kaine.

The Guardian

Commons came the closest to settling Celtic nerves, with two long-range efforts that were scrambled away by Alan Mannus.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close to settling", ensure that the context provides clarity on what is being settled. For example, specify whether it's a lawsuit, an agreement, or a dispute.

Common error

Don't assume the audience knows what is being settled. Always specify what 'it' refers to, otherwise your writing is ambiguous. Example: Instead of saying 'They are close to settling it', say 'They are close to settling the contract negotiations'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to settling" functions as a predicate adjective describing the state of something nearing resolution. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Examples in Ludwig show it modifying various subjects like 'cases', 'lawsuits', and 'disputes'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

14%

Sport

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close to settling" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that a situation is nearing resolution. As Ludwig AI verifies, it's widely used across diverse contexts, especially in news and media, formal business settings, and sports reporting. While versatile, remember to specify what is being settled to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "on the verge of resolving" or "nearing completion" for nuanced expressions. With an expert rating of 4.6, understanding and using "close to settling" effectively can enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of resolving

Emphasizes the imminence of a resolution, differing in the use of 'verge' and 'resolving'.

close to agreement

Simplifies the original by omitting 'settling' while maintaining the core meaning related to agreements.

nearing completion

Focuses on the completion aspect, suitable when referring to tasks or projects.

approaching resolution

Highlights the progress towards resolution, using 'approaching' to convey movement.

nearing finalization

A more formal alternative emphasizing the process of reaching a final state.

about to conclude

Indicates an impending conclusion, suitable for agreements or discussions.

on the cusp of resolution

Implies that a resolution is very close, using 'cusp' to indicate a transitional point.

on the brink of agreement

Suggests a precarious state just before an agreement is reached, adding a sense of tension.

virtually finalized

Emphasizes that the finalization is almost certain, using 'virtually' for near certainty.

in the final stages

Refers to the concluding phase of a process, suitable for projects and negotiations.

FAQs

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

You can use "close to settling" to indicate that a negotiation, dispute, or agreement is nearing its final resolution. For example, "The company is "on the verge of resolving" the lawsuit after months of negotiations."

What are some alternatives to "close to settling"?

Alternatives include "on the verge of resolving", "nearing completion", or "approaching resolution", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "close to a settlement" instead of "close to settling"?

While "close to a settlement" is grammatically correct, "close to settling" is more dynamic and suggests an ongoing process. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the state or the action.

What's the difference between "close to settling" and "has settled"?

"Close to settling" indicates that the process is nearing completion but not yet finalized. "Has settled" means the agreement or resolution has been officially reached and concluded. For example, the lawsuit is "close to settling", but the parties have not yet "has settled" the terms.