is approaching

USAGE SUMMARY

"is approaching" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person, thing, or event that is getting closer to arriving or happening. For example: The end of the school year is approaching quickly.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The weekend is approaching.

The New Yorker

Unemployment is approaching 20 percent.

The New York Times

Jesse Helms is approaching retirement.

The Economist

The deadline is approaching rapidly.

The New York Times - Sports

A curfew is approaching.

The Washington Post

The man is approaching.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The CA is approaching.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The time is approaching.

The Guardian - Sport

The winter is approaching.

The Guardian

That's how he is approaching Lavo.

The New York Times

A giant shark-shaped blob is approaching.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is approaching" to indicate that something is drawing nearer in time, space, or a particular state. Ensure the context clearly defines what is approaching and its target.

Common error

Avoid using "is approaching" when referring to a completed event or a past action. Use past tense forms like "was approaching" or "had approached" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is approaching" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something is in the process of drawing near or coming closer, whether in time, space, or condition. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, showcasing its role in describing ongoing or imminent events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is approaching" is a versatile and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe something drawing near in time, space, or state. Ludwig AI confirms that this expression is correct. It is commonly found in news and media, science, and academic contexts, indicating a neutral register suitable for diverse writing styles. While alternatives like "is drawing near" and "is coming closer" exist, "is approaching" provides a straightforward and widely accepted way to convey the imminence of an event or situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is drawing near

Indicates something is getting closer, similar to approaching, but with a slightly more formal tone.

is coming closer

Emphasizes the act of nearing something, focusing on the movement or reduction of distance.

is getting nearer

Similar to coming closer, but with a stronger sense of the reduction of distance.

is on the horizon

Suggests something is about to appear or happen in the future, often used for events or opportunities.

is in sight

Indicates something is within reach or about to be achieved, often used for goals or deadlines.

is looming

Implies something significant is approaching, often with a sense of threat or concern.

is advancing

Suggests forward movement or progress toward something, focusing on the active motion.

is nigh

An archaic term meaning near, close, or approaching. Used to create a dramatic effect.

is imminent

Indicates something is about to happen very soon, emphasizing the immediacy.

is shaping up

Suggests a situation is developing and heading in a particular direction, often used for plans or projects.

FAQs

How can I use "is approaching" in a sentence?

You can use "is approaching" to describe something getting closer in time, distance, or state. For example, "The deadline "is approaching" fast" or "Winter "is approaching" in Mosul".

What can I say instead of "is approaching"?

You can use alternatives like "is drawing near", "is coming closer", or "is getting nearer" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is approaching" or "approaches"?

"Is approaching" is the present continuous tense, used for ongoing actions, while "approaches" is the simple present tense, used for habitual actions or general truths. For example, "The deadline "is approaching"" (ongoing) vs "He approaches the problem cautiously" (habitual).

What's the difference between "is approaching" and "will approach"?

"Is approaching" suggests an action already in progress, while "will approach" suggests a future action. For instance, "The storm "is approaching"" (already moving closer) versus "The company will approach the negotiations carefully" (future action).