it was nearing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was nearing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is approaching a certain time or event. Example: "As the sun began to set, it was nearing the end of a long day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Consumers rushing to take advantage of the credit as it was nearing its expiration pushed up spending on housing and related property investments by an annual pace of 27.9 percent in the second quarter.

The New York Times

With increase in pH, the surface of AgNPs became less cationic as it was nearing its pHpzc and thereafter became anionic at pH above it.

Applied Water Science

After attaining peak intensity, the NHC again noted that it was very likely that Fausto attained its peak intensity, as it was nearing a region of sea surface temperatures less than 78°F (26°C).

Wikipedia

Shareholder class-action suits followed, panning Priceline for having said it was nearing profitability on its second-quarter earnings call.

Forbes

The company, which operates power plants in the United States and internationally, also said it was nearing sales of some of its domestic and international assets.

Forbes

The company, which operates power plants in the U.S. and internationally, also said it was nearing sales of some of its domestic and international assets.

Forbes

At about 5 25 am, the troop came under fire from machine guns, rifles and a 25 mm cannon as it was nearing the shore, and all but three of its 15 rubber boats were sunk.

Wikipedia

It was nearing midnight.

The New Yorker

It was nearing 2 a.m.

The New York Times - Sports

It was nearing midnight on Sept. 13.

The New York Times

It was nearing 7 p.m.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was nearing" to create a sense of anticipation or to set a specific time frame in your writing. It works well in both narrative and descriptive contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "it was nearing" when a more direct time statement is sufficient. For example, instead of "It was nearing midnight", consider simply saying "It was almost midnight" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was nearing" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating the state of approaching a specific time, event, or condition. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

9%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was nearing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the approach of a specific time, event, or condition. Ludwig AI confirms this. While versatile and suitable for various contexts, it is most commonly found in news media and general narratives. For more formal settings, consider using synonyms like "it was approaching" or "it was drawing near". Be mindful of not overusing the phrase when a direct statement would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was approaching

Replaces "nearing" with a synonym, maintaining the sense of approaching something.

it was getting close to

Uses a more informal and descriptive way to express the idea of approaching.

it was drawing near

Employs a more literary and formal synonym for "nearing".

it was on the verge of

Shifts the focus to being close to a state or event, rather than a time.

it was almost

A simpler and more direct way to indicate something was close to happening or being a certain time.

it was becoming imminent

Emphasizes the impending nature of something.

it was shaping up to be

Indicates that something was progressing towards a certain outcome.

the time was approaching for

Rephrases to focus on the approach of a specific time or event.

the hour was at hand

Offers a more dramatic and literary alternative.

it was anticipated

Focuses on the expectation that something was about to happen.

FAQs

How can I use "it was nearing" in a sentence?

You can use "it was nearing" to indicate the approach of a time, event, or state. For example: "It was nearing midnight when the storm began", or "The project was nearing completion".

What are some alternatives to "it was nearing"?

Alternatives include "it was approaching", "it was getting close to", or "it was drawing near", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is there a difference between "it was nearing" and "it was almost"?

"It was nearing" implies a process of approaching, while "it was almost" suggests a state that is very close to being reached. "It was nearing midnight" suggests the time was approaching midnight, while "it was almost midnight" indicates the time was very close to midnight.

Can "it was nearing" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "it was nearing" is suitable for formal writing, though alternatives like "it was approaching" or "it was drawing near" might be preferred for a more elevated tone.