is coming up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is coming up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is about to happen in the near future. For example, "The big test is coming up next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

June is coming up.

The New York Times - Sports

The sun is coming up.

The New Yorker

Austria is coming up.

The Guardian

Imperialism is coming up from Boystown".

The New Yorker

Valentine's Day is coming up again.

The New York Times

A hurricane is coming up the coast.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

The rest of this paper is come up as follows.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

"Elections are coming up".

The New York Times

More tests are coming up.

The New Yorker

What's coming up next?

The New York Times

"That's coming up tomorrow".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is coming up" to indicate an event or deadline is approaching. It's suitable for both formal and informal communication.

Common error

Avoid using "is coming up" in highly formal documents, such as legal contracts, where more precise language like "is scheduled" or "is approaching" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is coming up" functions as a phrasal verb indicating that an event or deadline is approaching. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts. It commonly connects a subject with an impending event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is coming up" is a versatile and commonly used phrasal verb that indicates an approaching event, deadline, or occasion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for both informal and semi-formal contexts. While extremely rare, in some very formal or legal settings, more precise language such as "is approaching" or "is scheduled" may be preferred. The phrase appears frequently in news media and academic writing, making it a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary. Remember to consider the formality of your writing context when deciding whether to use "is coming up".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is about to happen

Highlights the imminence of an event.

is approaching

Emphasizes the nearness in time; more formal.

is nearing

Similar to 'is approaching' but can also imply a conclusion or end.

is expected soon

Focuses on the anticipation and near arrival of an event.

is drawing near

A more descriptive and somewhat literary way to say something is close in time.

is set to occur

More formal; often used in official announcements.

is on the horizon

Suggests something is anticipated but not immediately imminent.

is looming

Often carries a negative connotation, suggesting something undesirable is approaching.

is in the pipeline

Often used in business contexts to refer to planned or upcoming events.

is scheduled

Implies a specific, planned event in the future.

FAQs

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

You can use "is coming up" to indicate that an event or deadline is approaching. For example, "The exam "is coming up" next week" or "Our anniversary "is coming up" soon".

What's a more formal alternative to "is coming up"?

More formal alternatives include "is approaching", "is nearing", or "is scheduled", depending on the context.

When is it inappropriate to use "is coming up"?

While versatile, "is coming up" might be too informal for highly formal or legal documents. In such cases, consider using more precise language like "is approaching".

What is the difference between "is coming up" and "is looming"?

"Is coming up" is generally neutral, indicating something is approaching. "Is looming", however, often carries a negative connotation, suggesting something undesirable "is looming".