nearing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is approaching or getting closer to a particular point in time or space. Example: "As the deadline for the project is nearing, we need to finalize our plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The series is iconic, an international phenomenon and an historic institution – so when I arrived at Lancaster University, I was surprised a society didn't exist!" He says: "The 50th anniversary of the show was approaching and my uni was nearing it's 50th year, so I developed a six-month plan to create a society for Whovians".

The Guardian

We are nearing a conclusion of our scoping work, but we want to ensure we have had the opportunity to analyse as much of the relevant documentation as possible before we make a decision.

The Guardian

Facilities Hull is nearing the end of a four-year, £15m programme of investment in student residential accommodation.

The Guardian

Dashing hopes that the steepest decline in growth since the 1930s might be nearing an end, the Office for National Statistics said gross domestic product – the total value of goods and services in the economy – fell by 0.8% in the three months to June.

The Guardian - Business

After all, Europe's biggest economy is benefiting more than anybody else from this situation: its economy is nearing boom times, as a weak euro (a consequence of the EU's economic woes) makes German products extremely competitive in China and elsewhere.

The Guardian - Opinion

Buy sensible, by which Sands means look out for supermarket special offers and food nearing its sell by date and in season vegetables that can be turned into wholesome soups.

The Guardian

The report says: "Much of the focus has been on living well with dementia, with little focus on the experiences of people with dementia nearing the end of their lives.

The Guardian

Whether as technical advisers or frontline combatants, some are said to have come from the former Soviet Union but about 300 are reportedly from South Africa and nearing retirement age.

The Guardian

The guinea pigs are nearing the end of their contributions to science.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In other news, our iPad app is nearing completion and I'm happy to report that our existing mobile products are performing really well.

The Guardian

Nearing the mid-way point of the third, Bishop left the ice for a shift.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearing" to describe the approach to a deadline, event, or a physical location. It adds a sense of progress and anticipation to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "nearing" to describe states that don't involve progression or movement. For example, instead of saying "the project is nearing completion if it was stopped", it's better to say "the project was close to completion".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "nearing" is as a present participle. It's used to form continuous verb tenses, indicating an ongoing action of approaching something, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the present participle "nearing" is a grammatically sound and very common term used to describe the process of approaching a specific point in time, space, or achievement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is generally used correctly. While "nearing" fits in a wide array of contexts, it's particularly prevalent in journalistic and professional writing. To enhance clarity, it's best to avoid using "nearing" for static states, and to choose alternative phrases like "approaching" or "drawing near" depending on the nuance you want to convey. The authoritative sources provided by Ludwig underscore its reliability and widespread acceptance in formal English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approaching

Simple substitution of the present participle form.

drawing near

Emphasizes the gradual approach, implying a closer distance.

getting closer

Highlights the process of reduction in distance, either physical or metaphorical.

on the verge of

Implies imminence, that something is about to happen or be achieved.

coming up to

Suggests a forward movement to a certain point or event.

in sight

Indicates that a goal or endpoint is visible or achievable.

advancing towards

Formal alternative that depicts a steady progression.

within reach

Highlights attainability; the goal is nearly achievable.

looming

Suggests an approaching event that is often negative or imposing.

at hand

Implies the proximity of an event or opportunity.

FAQs

How can I use "nearing" in a sentence?

"Nearing" is used as a present participle to indicate that something is approaching. For example, "The deadline is nearing, so we need to work faster."

What's the difference between "nearing" and "approaching"?

While both are similar, "nearing" often implies a later stage of approach than "approaching". "Nearing" suggests being closer to the destination or event.

What can I say instead of "nearing"?

You can use alternatives like "approaching", "drawing near", or "getting closer" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "nearing completion"?

Yes, "nearing completion" is a common and correct phrase to describe something that is almost finished or finalized.