close to time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is nearly at a specific time or deadline. Example: "We need to finish this project; we are close to time for the final submission."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

The experience of listening to them is as close to time travel as we've ever come.

The Guardian - Opinion

And I'm going to end, I think, on this slide, as we're kind of getting close to time.

Cornell University

Close to time, Celtic went ahead, and then, even closer to time, Rangers equalised, before the ground emptied in significant commotion.

The Guardian - Sport

Moreover, one source close to Time said, he is considered good at entrusting subordinates with responsibility and giving them the incentive to carry it out.

The New York Times

Pure took readers back to the theatres, crowded markets, subcultures, noxious smells, and choked churchyards of prerevolutionary France in a manner so convincing that one reviewer called it "something close to time travel".

Encyclopedia Britannica

The news is the more frustrating for those close to Time Test because it seemed as though he would finally get the fast ground that he craves, having run well on soft to be third in the Eclipse last month.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

The performances obtained by these reactivity models are close to time-consuming quantum chemical reactivity calculations, e.g., se = 0.44 versus 0.40 for glutathione adduct formation via Michael addition, comparing predicted values to an experimental reactivity dataset [1].

Journal of Cheminformatics

But he was the only male, and thus the closest to Time personified.

The Economist

"I don't think it will bring us any closer to time travel.

Science Magazine

As we get closer to time, will Norwich start to think more about what they have?

BBC

I left no closer to time traveling, which at that point wasn't really what it was about.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close to time", ensure the context clearly specifies the time being approached to avoid ambiguity. For example, "close to time for the presentation" is clearer than just "close to time".

Common error

While "close to time" is acceptable, it can sound informal. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "approaching the deadline" or "nearing the scheduled time" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to time" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase. Ludwig AI indicates that it is used to modify verbs or clauses, indicating when an event is about to occur, or a deadline is approaching.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "close to time" is a common prepositional phrase used to indicate the imminence of an event or deadline. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and appears frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. While generally acceptable, its informal tone may not be suitable for all writing situations. Consider alternatives like "nearing the deadline" or "approaching the moment" for more formal settings. When using "close to time", ensure clarity by specifying the exact time or event being referenced.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

getting close

A simpler, more direct way to say that a point in time is approaching.

almost time

A shorter, more informal way to express that a designated time is near.

nearing the deadline

Focuses specifically on approaching a final submission or limit.

just around the corner

Highlights the close proximity, often used for anticipated events.

approaching the moment

Emphasizes the imminence of a particular event or instant.

drawing near

Implies a gradual reduction of the temporal distance.

coming soon

Suggests an impending event within a short timeframe.

in the offing

Indicates that something is likely to happen in the near future.

on the horizon

Metaphorically implies that an event is visible and approaching.

in the pipeline

Suggests that something is in development and nearing completion or release.

FAQs

What does "close to time" mean?

The phrase "close to time" indicates that something is nearly at a specific time or deadline. It suggests that an event or action is about to occur in the near future.

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

You might say, "We need to finalize the report; we are "nearing the deadline"." or "It's "almost time" for the show to begin."

What are some alternatives to "close to time"?

Alternatives include "approaching the moment", "drawing near", or "getting close", depending on the context.

Is "close to time" formal or informal?

The phrase "close to time" tends to be more informal. In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "approaching the scheduled time" or "nearing the deadline".