close to stopping

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to stopping" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is nearly at a halt or about to cease operation. Example: "The car was close to stopping as it ran out of fuel on the highway."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

They just couldn't come close to stopping him.

The Washington Post

"I came close to stopping it three times," Mitchell said.

The New York Times - Sports

In fact, the only thing that came close to stopping him was a curious squirrel.

The New York Times - Sports

And worse, there's no evidence that the bleeding is close to stopping.

The Washington Post

Slowly, he stopped gagging so much, but his mother admits she came close to stopping the programme.

The Guardian

The film itself comes close to stopping time, mostly through long boring scenes of Glauco doing nothing much at all.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

No one came closer to stopping 9/11.

University of California, Berkeley

By piecing together this chemical breadcrumb trail, our researchers are one step closer to stopping melanoma in its tracks.

The Guardian

While experts know how the outbreak began, they aren't much closer to stopping future ones.

Forbes

The reality is that we are simply not one inch closer to stopping climate change.

Huffington Post

We are one step closer to stopping President Trump from violating the Constitution's original anti-corruption provisions.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close to stopping" when you want to emphasize that something is on the brink of ceasing its current action or state. This phrase works well in both literal and figurative contexts.

Common error

In formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives like "nearing cessation" or "approaching a standstill" if the context demands a higher degree of formality and precision. Overuse can make your writing sound less sophisticated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to stopping" typically functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, describing the state of being near cessation. This is supported by Ludwig, which validates its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Wiki

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "close to stopping" is a versatile expression used to indicate that something is nearly at a halt or about to cease. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in tone, it is important to consider context and opt for more formal alternatives like "nearing cessation" in professional or academic writing. Remember, "close to stopping" effectively communicates the idea of an action or process reaching its end, but choose your wording carefully to suit your audience and maintain the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly stopping

Emphasizes proximity to the action of stopping.

almost stopping

Similar to 'nearly stopping', highlighting the near cessation of action.

on the verge of stopping

Indicates an imminent stop, suggesting a critical point has been reached.

about to stop

Focuses on the immediate future, implying the action will cease very soon.

nearing a halt

Uses 'halt' as a synonym for 'stopping', adding a slightly more formal tone.

approaching a standstill

Similar to 'nearing a halt', but emphasizes complete cessation of movement.

slowing to a stop

Highlights the process of deceleration before the final cessation.

coming to a standstill

Similar to 'approaching a standstill', indicating the action is gradually ceasing.

at the point of stopping

Highlights the specific moment when stopping is about to occur.

drawing to a close

More general and can refer to the ending of an event or process, not just physical stopping.

FAQs

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

You can use "close to stopping" to indicate that something is nearly at a halt or about to cease operation. For example: "The negotiations were "close to stopping" due to irreconcilable differences."

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

Alternatives include "nearly stopping", "almost stopping", or "about to stop", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "close to stop" instead of "close to stopping"?

No, "close to stop" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "close to stopping" because "to" functions as a preposition here, requiring a gerund (the -ing form of the verb).

What is the difference between "close to stopping" and "on the verge of stopping"?

"Close to stopping" generally indicates nearness to a halt, while "on the verge of stopping" suggests a critical point has been reached, implying that the stop is imminent and potentially unavoidable.