getting closer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "getting closer" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase in a sentence when referring to someone or something that is approaching, or making progress. For example, "We are getting closer to finding a solution to this problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's certainly getting closer".

The New York Times - Sports

He was getting closer.

The New Yorker

Gunshots getting closer.

The New York Times

"It is getting closer".

The New York Times

"He is getting closer.

Independent

I'm getting closer".

The New York Times - Sports

The man was getting closer.

The New York Times - Magazine

But it is getting closer.

The Economist

But he is getting closer.

The New York Times

Now we were getting closer.

The New York Times

"It's getting closer," Roach said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "getting closer" to indicate progress toward a tangible or intangible goal. For example, "We are getting closer to understanding the universe."

Common error

Avoid using "getting closer" when you need to express absolute certainty or a definitive conclusion; it implies ongoing progress, not a final result.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "getting closer" functions primarily as a progressive verb phrase, indicating an ongoing process of approaching a specific point, goal, or state. It suggests movement or development toward something, rather than having already reached it. Ludwig's examples support this function in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "getting closer" is a versatile and commonly used expression to convey progress toward a goal, idea, or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and readily applicable in various writing styles. Predominantly found in News & Media, Scientific and Formal & Business contexts, it carries a neutral register making it widely accessible. When using "getting closer", remember that it implies continuous progress, and alternative phrases like "drawing nearer" or "approaching the target" may be used for varied emphasis. Avoid redundancy by not saying "getting more closer."

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

coming closer to

A more verbose and slightly less direct way of expressing the same idea.

drawing nearer

Emphasizes the act of physically or metaphorically approaching something.

approaching the target

Focuses on nearing a specific objective or goal.

making headway

Highlights progress being made towards a destination.

on the verge of

Implies being at the threshold of something about to happen.

nearing completion

Specifically refers to the final stages of a task or project.

closing in

Suggests a reduction of distance, often with an element of urgency or pressure.

within reach

Indicates that a goal or desired outcome is nearly attainable.

advancing steadily

Conveys continuous and consistent progress towards something.

gaining ground

Highlights the act of making progress, often in a competitive context.

FAQs

How can I use "getting closer" in a sentence?

The phrase "getting closer" indicates progress towards a specific goal or state. For example, "The deadline is "getting closer", so we need to finalize the report soon."

What are some alternatives to "getting closer"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "drawing nearer", "approaching the target", or "making headway" as alternatives to "getting closer".

Is it correct to say "getting more closer"?

No, "getting more closer" is redundant. "Closer" already implies a comparative state, so using "more" is unnecessary. The correct phrase is ""getting closer"".

What's the difference between "getting closer" and "arriving"?

"Getting closer" implies a process of approaching something, while "arriving" suggests the final act of reaching a destination. "Getting closer" describes movement in the right direction, whereas "arriving" indicates the destination has been reached.