close to term

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to term" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts related to pregnancy or project timelines, indicating that something is nearing completion or the end of a specified period. Example: "The project is close to term, and we expect to finalize everything by the end of the month."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

"This was very common in my hometown, even when the baby was close to term, women were forced to abort.

Independent

Other women may have carried to term, or as close to term as possible, a child whose condition could allow it to live for a few days, or weeks, or maybe a few years.

The New York Times

The judge told her at the hour-long hearing: "The critical element of your offending is the deliberate choice made by you, in full knowledge of the due date of your child, to terminate the pregnancy at somewhere close to term, if not actually at term, with the full knowledge that termination after week 24 was unlawful and in full knowledge your child's birth was imminent".

The Guardian

The health minister has said that the girl is in good health and the pregnancy is too close to term to be ended.

BBC

Yet this is where the military unleashed its sonar, again decimating deep-diving whales, including a fetus that was close to term.

Huffington Post

The external yolk sac is fully resorbed when the embryo is close to term, with the remaining yolk having been transferred to an internal yolk sac attached to the intestine.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Emi was coming closer and closer to term, but many things could have gone wrong.

The New York Times - Science

Babies born closer to term, 34 to 36 weeks, were nearly three times as likely to die as full-term infants.

The New York Times

Others are having illegal pre-emptive abortions at private clinics rather than take the risk of their foetus being diagnosed with microcephaly closer to term.

The Guardian

The FP-IRL ratios decreased as IRL migrated before term and minimally after that, whereas FP-PRL ratios increased as PRL subcellular elements formed closer to term and into childhood.

Duke University

In countries with rate increases, these were observed for all gestational age groups, not just the births closest to term.

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close to term" in project management, clarify the specific deadline or expected completion date to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "close to term" in contexts where "nearing completion" or "almost finished" would be more appropriate. "Close to term" is most precise when there is a defined "term" or duration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to term" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating proximity to the end of a specified period or duration. Ludwig examples show it is often used to describe pregnancies nearing their due date or projects approaching their deadline.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close to term" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something nearing the end of a defined period, most often used to indicate that a pregnancy is approaching its due date or a project is nearing its deadline. According to Ludwig, it is a versatile phrase appearing across various contexts from science to news. While generally neutral, its precision makes it best suited for situations where a specific "term" or duration is relevant. Using alternative phrasing, such as "nearing completion", or "approaching the deadline" can help to convey a similar message while avoiding over-reliance on this specific phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approaching full-term

Specifically refers to the nearing end date of a pregnancy.

nearly at full-term

Similar to 'approaching full-term' with more emphasis on proximity to the endpoint.

nearing completion

Focuses on the process of finishing something, suitable for projects or tasks.

approaching the deadline

Specifically emphasizes the approaching end date of an obligation.

close to the due date

Specifically refers to the nearing date of a specific requirement.

almost due

Implies an imminent obligation, often used in scheduling or assignments.

drawing near the end

Suggests the final stages of a process or event.

in the final stages

Highlights that the item or event is in its concluding steps.

on the verge of completion

Emphasizes that the end is very near and completion is expected soon.

about to conclude

Indicates the imminence of a conclusion or final decision.

FAQs

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

You can use "close to term" to describe the final stage of a pregnancy, as in "The pregnancy is "close to term", and the baby is expected soon." It can also apply to projects or deadlines.

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

Alternatives include "nearing completion", "approaching the deadline", or "almost due", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "close to term" or "near to term"?

Both ""close to term"" and "near to term" are grammatically correct, but "close to term" is more commonly used, especially in medical or project-related contexts.

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

"Close to term" implies that there's a defined end period or 'term' that is approaching. "Almost finished" is more general and can apply to any task or activity nearing completion.