looming

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "looming" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is approaching or threatening in a way that creates a sense of anxiety or foreboding. Example: "With the deadline looming, the team worked late into the night to finish the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And the looming combination of tax increases and spending cuts looks easily large enough to push America back into recession.

The New York Times

It's only the first couple of weeks of 2015, but the year may as well be over: with the 2016 presidential and congressional elections looming, Republicans are pushing full steam ahead on economy and jobs in an attempt to improve their chances at capturing the White House next year.

The Guardian - Money

That they should miss two glorious opportunities to take a potentially decisive advantage seemed merely to underline the ­certainty of their looming ordeal.

The Guardian - Sport

With elections looming on 22 September, few respondents expected a big change in policy to emanate from Berlin.

The Guardian

The entire clip was filmed on location in Gibson's home territory of Pennsylvania's coal region, featuring the towns of Centralia, Jim Thorpe, Mahanoy City, Mt Carmel, Nesquehoning, Shamokin and Shenandoah; little happens aside from the looming sense of foreboding, tempered slightly by closeups of the Sub Pop heartthrob shovelling chips into his mouth.

The Guardian - Music

For a person to remain "voluntary" with the looming threat of detention should they try to leave, effectively incarcerates them – but without any of the rights (for appeal, legal aid etc) that the Mental Health Act provides.

The Guardian

A once-in-a-generation opportunity is looming in four months' time and the head coach has to get his training squad right on Wednesday.

The Guardian - Sport

With the deadline looming, the negotiators did not get much sleep last night.

The Guardian

The result was him kicking his 35-year hash habit, then emailing members of Madness saying he thinks he wants to quit, despite looming December tour.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And how are you feeling about your looming exams?

The Guardian

He warned of a looming massacre in Kobani and the possibility of Baghdad airport – thought not the city itself – falling to Isis.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looming" to create a sense of foreboding or anticipation, especially when describing potential threats or challenges. For example, "The deadline is looming, so we need to work efficiently."

Common error

Avoid using "looming" when a more neutral term like "approaching" or "upcoming" would suffice. "Looming" carries a negative connotation, so it's inappropriate for purely positive or neutral situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "looming" is as a present participle or gerund, often functioning as an adjective to describe a noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is commonly used and grammatically sound. Examples in Ludwig show it modifying terms like "crisis", "deadline", and "elections".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looming" is a versatile term used to describe something significant and often threatening that is approaching. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, it serves to create a sense of foreboding or importance. When writing, remember to use "looming" when you wish to convey potential negative consequences and avoid it in purely positive or neutral contexts. The related phrases like "impending", "approaching", and "threatening" offer subtle variations in meaning to refine your message. Therefore, it is highly recommended to use it carefully for best impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impending

Similar to "looming" but emphasizes inevitability rather than imposing presence.

imminent

Stresses nearness in time; "looming" often adds a sense of scale or impact.

approaching

Focuses on the act of coming closer, often lacking the sense of threat implied by "looming".

threatening

Highlights the potential danger or harm, a key component of "looming" but less about the imminence.

hovering

Implies a static presence, a potential to act, while "looming" suggests forthcoming action or effect.

brewing

Suggests something is developing or intensifying, often unseen, before becoming apparent.

in the offing

An idiomatic expression for something that is likely to happen soon, similar in feel but less dramatic.

on the horizon

Indicates something is coming into view or awareness, without necessarily being threatening.

gathering

Suggests a build-up or accumulation towards a climax or event.

in the cards

Highlights probability or destiny of something that is likely to happen.

FAQs

How is "looming" different from "approaching"?

"Looming" implies a sense of threat or unease about something that is "approaching". "Approaching" is more neutral, simply indicating that something is drawing near.

What are some synonyms for "looming"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "impending", "imminent", or "threatening" instead of "looming".

Is it correct to use "looming" in a positive context?

While technically grammatically correct, using "looming" in a positive context is generally avoided because it carries a connotation of something negative or ominous.

When should I use "looming" instead of "upcoming"?

Use "looming" when you want to emphasize the potential negative impact or anxiety associated with an "upcoming" event or situation. If the situation is neutral, "upcoming" is more appropriate.