coming up to

USAGE SUMMARY

"coming up to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means "approaching in physical space or time." For example, you could say, "We are coming up to the one-year anniversary of the start of the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's coming up to Woodie's.

The New Yorker

He's coming up to the crossroads.

The New Yorker

"Now people are coming up to us".

The New York Times

Maybe you're coming up to retirement.

Independent

is coming up to us again.

Princeton University

He's coming up to the Texaco station.

The New Yorker

He's coming up to the Darndale roundabout.

The New Yorker

It's coming up to a year now.

The Guardian

The ground coming up to meet me.

The New York Times

They're all coming up to us".

The New York Times

We're just coming up to the anniversary of that.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an event that is nearly upon you, use "coming up to" to create a sense of anticipation and immediacy. For instance, "We are "coming up to" the deadline, so it's time to finalize the report."

Common error

Avoid using "coming up to" when simply meaning 'visiting'. While it can imply movement, it's more appropriate when describing a progressive approach or imminence. For instance, instead of saying "I'm "coming up to" your house this weekend", use "I'm visiting your house this weekend".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "coming up to" primarily functions as a prepositional verb, indicating movement or progression towards a specific point in time or space. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples illustrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "coming up to" is a versatile and frequently used prepositional verb phrase that signifies approaching a location, time, or event. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage across diverse contexts such as News & Media, Academia, and Wiki, highlighting its neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal communication. While it's generally correct, avoiding its use as a simple replacement for 'visiting' ensures accurate and effective communication. Alternatives like "approaching" or "nearing" can offer nuanced expression, depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approaching

Implies drawing nearer, often physically or temporally, similar to "coming up to" but more concise.

nearing

Indicates getting closer to a specific time, event, or state; similar to "coming up to" in temporal contexts.

drawing near

Similar to "coming up to" but emphasizes the gradual process of approaching something.

advancing toward

Describes physical movement closer to a destination, offering a more formal alternative to "coming up to".

heading towards

Indicates a directional movement in general and can be used as an alternative to the directional sense of "coming up to".

on the verge of

Indicates being close to a particular state or event, focusing on imminence rather than movement.

closing in on

Suggests reducing the distance to a target, either physically or metaphorically; more active than "coming up to".

in anticipation of

This phrase highlights the expectation of an upcoming event, focusing on the mental state rather than the approach itself.

on the horizon

Implies that something is likely to happen in the future. While it doesn't indicate physical movement, it can be used when "coming up to" refers to an event.

making progress toward

Emphasizes advancement toward a goal, which can be used as an alternative when "coming up to" refers to a project or target.

FAQs

How can I use "coming up to" in a sentence?

You can use "coming up to" to indicate nearing a specific time, event, or location. For example, "We are "coming up to" the anniversary of our company's founding" or "He's "coming up to" the intersection now".

What's the difference between "coming up to" and "approaching"?

"Coming up to" often implies a more gradual or continuous movement toward something, while "approaching" can be more direct or immediate. For instance, "The train is "coming up to" the station" suggests a gradual arrival, whereas "The train is approaching the station" simply indicates it's getting closer.

When is it appropriate to use "coming up to" in professional writing?

In professional contexts, "coming up to" can be used to describe deadlines, milestones, or events. For example, "We are "coming up to" the end of the fiscal year, so budget reviews are crucial".

What are some alternatives to "coming up to" in the context of an event?

In the context of an event, you could use phrases like "nearing", "drawing near", or "on the horizon". Each alternative conveys a similar sense of the event's imminence but with slightly different nuances.