closing in on

USAGE SUMMARY

"closing in on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that something is approaching or nearing a specific stage or point. For example, "We are closing in on the finish line, just a few more steps to go!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We are closing in on a one hundred year wait.

Huffington Post

The hospitals are closing in on this little outpost.

The New York Times

"We're closing in on that date now!" he says, impishly.

The New York Times

They now are closing in on Tabqa air base.

Independent

We're closing in on the four-week mark.

The New York Times - Health

Its house prices are closing in on pre-recession levels.

The Economist

And e-books are closing in on paperbacks.

The Economist

Two security men are closing in on the dock.

The Guardian

In Minnesota, the walls are closing in on Norm Coleman.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We are closing in on it," Chief Campisi said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I'm closing in on four-and-a-half years sober.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context clearly indicates what is being approached or neared. The object of the preposition 'on' should be specific and easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "closing in on" when the context doesn't involve approaching a specific target or milestone. For example, it would be incorrect to say, "The door is closing in on the room," unless the intention is to convey that the room is shrinking or being compressed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "closing in on" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating movement or progression towards a specific target or goal. It suggests that something is approaching a particular state, number, or position. Ludwig confirms this through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "closing in on" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe the process of nearing a specific target, goal, or milestone. Ludwig AI confirms that its grammatical status is correct and can be considered very common in general English usage. The phrase is primarily found in news and media, but it's also acceptable in formal and scientific writing, implying a neutral tone. The related phrases offer variations in conveying the same meaning with slight differences in emphasis. By understanding its proper usage and potential pitfalls, writers can effectively incorporate "closing in on" into their vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approaching

A more general term for nearing a specific point or time.

drawing near

Emphasizes the gradual reduction of distance or time until a specific event or target is reached.

gaining ground on

Indicates progress in reducing the lead or advantage of someone or something else.

closing the gap

Focuses on diminishing the difference or disparity between two entities.

zeroing in on

Implies focusing intently on a specific target or piece of information.

honing in on

Suggests refining the focus or approach to achieve greater precision.

converging on

Describes multiple entities or paths moving towards a common point or goal.

encircling

Suggests surrounding or hemming in a target, either literally or figuratively.

encroaching on

Implies gradually intruding upon or infringing on someone's space or territory.

gaining upon

Similar to gaining ground, but can also refer to physically catching up.

FAQs

How can I use "closing in on" in a sentence?

You can use "closing in on" to describe approaching a goal, nearing a deadline, or intensifying focus. For example, "The athlete is "closing in on the world record"."

What are some alternatives to "closing in on"?

Alternatives include "approaching", "drawing near", or "gaining ground on depending on the context".

Is it appropriate to use "closing in on" in formal writing?

Yes, "closing in on" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in business or news contexts, where it effectively conveys progress or an impending event. For example, "The company is "closing in on a deal"."

What's the difference between "closing in on" and "closing on"?

"Closing in on" typically implies nearing a specific target or goal, while "closing on" can suggest a more general sense of diminishing distance. The addition of 'in' emphasizes the progressive aspect. For example, consider: "The police are "closing in on the suspect"" versus "The darkness was "closing on the town"."