counting down

USAGE SUMMARY

"counting down" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it in a variety of contexts. For example: The countdown to Christmas has begun, and there are only a few weeks left until the holiday arrives!.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I started counting down.

The New Yorker

Wall has been counting down the days.

The New York Times

RT if you're counting down the minutes.

Independent

Mr. Kasem's counting down isn't really over.

The New York Times

I was counting down with them".

The New York Times - Sports

The ones counting down the days to his presidential announcement?

The New York Times

My lot have been counting down the days.

Independent

"I was counting down the days," Mrs Taft says.

The Economist

Counting down the hours until your first summer Friday?

The New York Times

Counting down to the start... who's feeling tense?

The Guardian - Sport

I've been counting down the minutes until the race.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "counting down" to build narrative tension or to emphasize the importance of an upcoming event. It is particularly effective when followed by specific time units like "days", "hours" or "minutes".

Common error

Avoid using "counting down" when the number or value is actually increasing. For progressive totals that start from zero, use "counting up" or "accumulating" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "counting down" serves as a phrasal verb in the continuous aspect. It typically functions as the main verb of a clause to denote a process of decrementing a sequence. According to Ludwig, it often appears as a gerund or present participle to describe an ongoing state of anticipation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academic

5%

Social Media

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "counting down" is a highly versatile and correct English phrase used to describe the act of waiting for or measuring the time remaining until a specific moment. Ludwig AI confirms its high frequency across top-tier publications, where it serves as a powerful tool for building narrative engagement. Whether used figuratively to express a person's excitement (e.g., "counting down the days") or literally to describe a mechanical timer (e.g., "the clock was counting down"), the phrase is universally understood. Writers should feel confident using it in most contexts, though technical or highly formal documents might benefit from more precise alternatives like "approaching" or "decrementing".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

counting the minutes

Specific to a shorter time frame to convey high intensity or impatience

marking off the days

Specifically implies a physical act like crossing dates off a calendar

ticking away

Focuses on the auditory or mechanical passage of time rather than the person doing the counting

awaiting

Removes the numerical aspect and focuses purely on the state of expectation

anticipating

Shifts the focus to the mental preparation for a future event

nearing

Describes the reduction in distance or time without implying a deliberate count

measuring the time until

More literal and less idiomatic than the original phrase

closing in on

Implies movement toward a target or deadline

tracking the remaining time

More formal and often used in technical or project management contexts

reversing the count

Technically accurate but much less common in idiomatic usage

FAQs

How do I use "counting down" in a sentence?

You can use it to show excitement for an event, such as "I am "counting down" the days until my vacation" or to describe a literal timer, like "The clock is "counting down" from ten".

What can I say instead of "counting down"?

Depending on your tone, you might use "anticipating", "waiting impatiently for" or "ticking down".

Is "counting down" formal enough for a business report?

While common in news, it is slightly idiomatic. For a more professional tone, consider "tracking the deadline" or "approaching the scheduled date".

What is the difference between "counting down" and "counting up"?

To be "counting down" means to move toward zero or a finished state, whereas "counting up" means starting from a baseline and increasing the total.