nearing closer

USAGE SUMMARY

'nearing closer' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe two items or entities that are approaching or becoming nearer to one another, or nearing some kind of completion. For example, "As the deadline approaches, the team is nearing closer to their goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Reinforcements may or may not arrive in the coming days, with the trading deadline at hand Wednesday and Alex Rodriguez nearing closer to either a return to the lineup or a long suspension.

The New York Times - Sports

Time is running out for the African elephants, dangerously nearing closer and closer to extinction.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

As the spacecraft neared closer to Pluto, more was learned about this unique feature.

TechCrunch

As she nears closer to her retirement from Congress, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn).

Huffington Post

But what if the drugs, besides easing pain, could also hasten death — could make "near" closer to "now"?

The New York Times

Without a good 2012 comparison, we'll have to wait until near closer to Election Day until for a clearer picture of Florida's early voting.

Huffington Post

I have spent ten years worrying about the possibility of conceiving a child and am nowhere near closer to that prospect in the future.

Huffington Post

Then, you might apply a dark green onto your eyelid, followed by a bright or glittery green near closer to your nose.

WikiHow

Their time together, hers and Constance's, was nearing its close.

The New Yorker

An industry-tracking exchange-traded fund, the SPDR KBW Bank, was up 1.2% nearing the close.

Forbes

"I'm nowhere near close," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearing closer" when you want to emphasize the dual action of approaching and reducing distance in a particular context, creating a more descriptive image.

Common error

Be mindful that "nearing" already implies closeness. Ensure that using "closer" adds meaningful emphasis rather than being merely redundant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearing closer" functions as a descriptive element, often modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate the process of approaching. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nearing closer" is a grammatically correct, though relatively rare, expression used to describe the process of something approaching and reducing distance. Ludwig's analysis confirms its usability in written English, primarily within news and media contexts. While alternatives like "approaching" or "getting closer" may be more common, "nearing closer" provides a more emphatic description when both the action and the reduction of space are significant. Ensure that the use of "closer" enhances the phrase rather than being redundant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

getting closer

More common and informal alternative.

coming closer

Similar to "getting closer" but might imply an event.

moving closer

Emphasizes movement towards a destination or state.

drawing nearer

Synonymous, employing a slightly more formal tone.

closing in

Suggests reducing a gap or perimeter.

approaching

Single word alternative, less emphatic than the original phrase.

advancing

Single word, conveys forward progression.

becoming imminent

Focuses on the impending nature of something.

nearing completion

Specifically refers to approaching the end of a process.

on the horizon

Idiomatic expression for something expected soon.

FAQs

What does "nearing closer" mean?

It signifies the process of something approaching or becoming nearer, emphasizing both the act of moving towards and reducing the distance.

Is "nearing closer" grammatically correct?

Yes, while some may consider it slightly redundant, it is grammatically sound and used in published writing, especially when added emphasis is desired.

What are some alternatives to "nearing closer"?

You can use alternatives such as "approaching", "drawing nearer", or "getting closer" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "nearing closer" instead of just "nearing" or "getting closer"?

Use "nearing closer" when you wish to highlight both the action of approaching and the reduction of distance, creating a more vivid and emphatic description of the process. It's often used to describe something important or potentially impactful.