heading to the finish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heading to the finish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to races, competitions, or any situation where someone is nearing the end of a task or journey. Example: "As the marathon runners approached the final stretch, they could see the crowd cheering them on, all heading to the finish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Family members heading to the finish line will go through a special screening.

The New York Times - Sports

The excitement built as the Spithills and other relatives of some of the sailors, many with tears in their eyes, pushed through the congestion, heading to the finish line to join the victors.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"They run for 26 miles," Groppi said of the waves of runners behind them, headed to the finish.

The New York Times - Sports

And it might have been larger, had he not been aware that no one would challenge him as he cleared the 10th and final hurdle and headed to the finish line.

The New York Times - Sports

It was only as we headed to the finish that I started to think if I got him across the line in second he might still have enough points to win the 2016 world triathlon championship.

The Guardian

"We don't want a Giro just for Italians; we want it for the world," he said Wednesday while climbing into his race director's car to head to the finish line.

The New York Times - Sports

He had texted me not long before to say that he was headed to the finish line to watch the marathon.

Huffington Post

After setting the Champions Golf Club course record on Saturday with a 10-under-par 61, Campbell built a five-stroke lead heading to the back nine, and he finished at 16-under 268 after a final-round 68 on Sunday.

The New York Times - Sports

He finished his performance before heading to the hospital.

Huffington Post

7 00 a.m.: My goal is to be totally ready for my day, so that I can head to the kitchen to finish lunch and breakfast prep.

Huffington Post

The Philadelphia 76ers landed their first No1 overall draft pick in 20 years on Tuesday at the NBA's draft lottery, putting Australia's Ben Simmons in line to head to the team that finished the season as the worst in the league.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heading to the finish" to convey a sense of progress and determination, particularly in contexts where physical movement or competition is involved. This phrase is effective for illustrating the final stages of a journey, race, or project.

Common error

Avoid using "heading to the finish" in purely abstract or metaphorical contexts where a more nuanced phrase might be appropriate. While the phrase can be used metaphorically, overuse can dilute its impact. Consider alternatives like "approaching completion" or "drawing near the conclusion" for more subtle applications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heading to the finish" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase indicating direction and purpose. It describes the act of moving or progressing towards a final destination or goal. Ludwig examples show its use in both literal (races) and figurative (projects) contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

30%

General

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heading to the finish" is a prepositional phrase that indicates movement or progress towards a final destination or goal. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and general communication. While versatile, it's best used when conveying a sense of progress and determination, and should be applied judiciously in abstract contexts. Alternatives like "approaching the end" or "nearing completion" can offer more nuanced expressions in certain situations. While "heading to the finish" is relatively infrequent, it remains a clear and effective way to describe the final stages of a journey, race, or project.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moving towards the goal

Shifts the focus to the objective rather than the endpoint.

closing in on the target

Implies a narrowing gap between the current position and the desired outcome.

approaching the end

Focuses on the nearness of the conclusion, rather than the act of moving.

on the verge of finishing

Highlights the imminence of the finishing act.

drawing near the conclusion

Emphasizes the gradual reduction of distance to the end.

making headway to the end

Emphasizes progress and overcoming obstacles.

nearing completion

Highlights the state of being almost complete.

making strides toward completion

Suggests significant progress is being made.

progressing toward the finale

Adds a sense of advancement to a final performance or event.

advancing to the terminal point

Uses more formal language to describe the final stage.

FAQs

What does "heading to the finish" mean?

The phrase "heading to the finish" means moving or progressing towards the end of a race, journey, or project. It implies a sense of forward movement and nearing completion.

How can I use "heading to the finish" in a sentence?

You can use "heading to the finish" to describe someone or something that is nearing the end of a process. For example: "The runners were exhausted but determined as they were heading to the finish." Or: "The project is heading to the finish, with only a few tasks remaining."

What are some alternatives to "heading to the finish"?

Some alternatives to "heading to the finish" include "approaching the end", "nearing completion", or "moving towards the goal". The best alternative depends on the specific context.

Is "heading to the finish line" the same as "heading to the finish"?

While similar, "heading to the finish line" specifically refers to the end point of a race or competition. "Heading to the finish" is more general and can apply to any situation where something is nearing its conclusion. Therefore, "heading to the finish" can be used when there is no physical line.