just around the corner

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'just around the corner' is a commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used figuratively or literally to refer to something that is very close to happening or being achieved. For example: "We are so close to vacation - it's just around the corner!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's just around the corner.

The Economist

"Just around the corner".

The New York Times

Carnage was just around the corner.

The Guardian

"Christmas is just around the corner.

Independent

July 4th is just around the corner.

Independent

Darkness was just around the corner.

The New York Times

September is just around the corner.

The New York Times

School is just around the corner".

The New Yorker

-- lies just around the corner.

The New York Times

Summer's just around the corner.

The New Yorker

"Too late is just around the corner".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just around the corner" to create anticipation, signaling an event or change is very close. This works effectively in both casual conversation and descriptive writing.

Common error

Avoid using "just around the corner" when referring to long-term, distant goals or abstract concepts. The phrase implies a sense of immediacy and should be reserved for situations that are imminent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just around the corner" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something will occur. Ludwig examples show it is used to denote proximity in time, signifying that an event is imminent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just around the corner" is a very common phrase used to indicate that something is imminent. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its frequent appearance in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to create anticipation and signal proximity in time. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, it's best suited for neutral contexts, although can be also be employed in formal situations if a conversational tone is desired. When writing, remember its purpose is to convey that an event or change is close at hand, and reserve it for scenarios where immediacy is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly here

Directly states that an event or time is very close in the future.

coming soon

A straightforward way to indicate that something will happen in the near future.

just a short way off

Replaces the corner metaphor with a more generic distance reference.

about to happen

Focuses on the imminence of an event, removing the spatial metaphor.

on the horizon

Implies that something is appearing or becoming evident in the near future.

in the offing

Suggests something is likely to happen soon, often used in a more formal context.

close at hand

Emphasizes that something is easily accessible or about to occur.

on the verge of happening

Emphasizes that something is at the point of occurring.

in sight

Indicates that the end of a process or goal is visible and near.

approaching rapidly

Highlights the quickening pace at which something is nearing.

FAQs

How can I use "just around the corner" in a sentence?

You can use "just around the corner" to indicate that something is about to happen or is very near. For example, "The holidays are "just around the corner"" or "Success is "just around the corner" if you keep working hard."

What's a more formal way to say "just around the corner"?

While "just around the corner" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives include "imminent", "approaching", or "forthcoming", depending on the specific context. For instance, instead of "The deadline is "just around the corner"", you could say "The deadline is rapidly "approaching"".

Is it okay to use "just around the corner" in professional writing?

Yes, "just around the corner" can be used in professional writing, especially when aiming for a conversational tone. However, consider your audience and the overall formality of the document. In more formal contexts, alternatives like "imminent" or "forthcoming" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "just around the corner" and "on the horizon"?

"Just around the corner" implies that something is very close and will happen soon, whereas "on the horizon" suggests that something is likely to happen in the future but may not be as immediate. "Just around the corner" has a stronger sense of immediacy.