it appears imminent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it appears imminent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that something seems likely to happen very soon. Example: "With the storm clouds gathering, it appears imminent that we will face severe weather conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

There are contingency plans -- top secret of course -- covering how the academy, and the network will react if war is already under way by showtime, if it appears imminent or even if it breaks out during the show.

The New York Times

"It appears imminent the governor will grant the emergency manager the unconditional power to proceed under chapter 9, and the emergency manager will seek to have the city's pension debts impaired unless the retirement systems and their participants accept the emergency manager's unilateral imposition of significant impairments to their accrued financial benefits," the lawsuit says.

The Guardian

There are some things about competitive advantage, but I think that what NHTSA's really aiming at is 'Look, this technology's starting to mature, it appears imminent, how can we realize it faster in a safe way, and can that be facilitated by sharing data?", and I think that the answer is probably yes".

TechCrunch

I still can't get myself to think about the possibility, even when it appears imminent.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The deflation in Japan in the 1999-2005 years worried the Fed when it appeared imminent in the U.S. early in this decade, and it still does.

Forbes

No settlement to the dispute appears imminent, but it is unlikely to drag on for months, as was the case in 2008.

The Guardian - Business

But The Cancer Letter reports (subscription required) that "multiple sources in the federal government and outside it confirmed that the announcement appears imminent" and is expected in the next few days.

Science Magazine

If the government's fall appears imminent or if it does not survive a vote of no confidence in the Knesset, Netanyahu must order elections within 90 days.

Los Angeles Times

Merrill was also mulling the sale of a piece of investment manager BlackRock, in which it owns a 49.0% share, but no deal appears imminent.

Forbes

If not, renewed conflict appears imminent and will potentially be most dire if it reaches south to this heavily populated port city, the country's commercial hub.

The New York Times

And at a time when economic growth appears imminent for Mozambique, investing in its people is essential, experts say.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it appears imminent" when you want to convey a sense of near certainty about an upcoming event, especially when supported by evidence or observations. It adds a formal and slightly elevated tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "it appears imminent" in casual or informal settings. Simpler phrases like "it's likely to happen soon" or "it's coming soon" are often more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it appears imminent" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates the degree to which something is likely to happen soon. As Ludwig AI confirms, it conveys a sense of near certainty.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

13%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it appears imminent" is a grammatically correct expression used to convey a high likelihood of something happening soon. Ludwig AI confirms that it can be used in written English. While not extremely common, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, and less so in everyday speech. When using this phrase, remember that simpler alternatives may be more appropriate in informal settings. You can use phrases such as "it seems likely", or "it is about to occur". It’s an effective phrase to inform or warn about impending events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems likely

This alternative expresses a similar level of probability but uses more common vocabulary.

it is on the verge of happening

This phrase is more descriptive, emphasizing the nearness of the event.

it is about to occur

This is a more direct and slightly less formal way to indicate an impending event.

it is drawing near

This suggests the event is approaching gradually, adding a sense of time passing.

it's just around the corner

Suggests the event will occur very soon.

it is in the offing

This idiom means the event is likely to happen soon, often used in a business context.

the time is ripe

This phrase highlights that conditions are favorable for the event to occur.

impending

Single word adjective similar meaning.

it's only a matter of time

Emphasizes inevitability rather than immediacy.

the writing is on the wall

Indicates an inevitable negative outcome.

FAQs

What does "it appears imminent" mean?

The phrase "it appears imminent" means that something seems very likely to happen in the near future. It suggests a high degree of probability and a sense of impending occurrence.

How can I use "it appears imminent" in a sentence?

You can use "it appears imminent" to describe events that are on the verge of happening. For example: "With the negotiations stalled, it appears imminent that the strike will begin."

What can I say instead of "it appears imminent"?

You can use alternatives like "it seems likely", "it is about to occur", or "it is drawing near" depending on the context.

Is "it appears imminent" formal or informal?

"It appears imminent" is generally considered a formal phrase. Simpler alternatives are more appropriate for informal contexts.