nearly time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an event or action is approaching or is about to happen soon. Example: "It's nearly time for the meeting to start, so please take your seats."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nearly time!

The Guardian - Sport

It's nearly time to go.

Independent

It's (nearly) time to celebrate.

The Guardian - Tech

9.44pm: Right, it's nearly time.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Eyes down, then... it's nearly time.

The Guardian - Sport

It was nearly time to sit down.

The New York Times - Food

It's nearly time for Gere's next muppet.

The Guardian - Film

Probably because it was nearly time to go home.

Independent

It was now nearly time for the party.

The New Yorker

Nearly time for me to start crying in advance again.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I think it's nearly time you had a bath".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearly time" to create anticipation or signal an upcoming transition. It's effective for indicating a pending event in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "nearly time" is acceptable, consider using more precise alternatives like "the scheduled time is approaching" or "the deadline is imminent" in formal documents to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the proximity of a specific time. Ludwig examples show its prevalent use in signaling upcoming events or deadlines.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nearly time" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to indicate that an event or action is approaching. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and versatile, predominantly used in news and media contexts, as well as in academic settings. While acceptable across different registers, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives in strictly professional documents. Common synonyms include "almost time" and "about time", offering writers a range of options to convey similar meanings. Overall, "nearly time" is a reliable phrase for signaling temporal proximity in various communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost time

Replaces "nearly" with "almost", a synonym indicating close proximity in time.

about time

Suggests that something is expected to happen soon or is slightly overdue.

close to time

Emphasizes the closeness in time to a specific event or moment.

approaching time

Highlights the gradual approach of a particular time or event.

soon to be time

Indicates that the specified time will arrive shortly.

just about time

Similar to "about time", but with a slight emphasis on immediacy.

virtually time

Indicates that the time is very close, almost there.

practically time

Highlights that it's almost the time for something to happen.

on the verge of time

Suggests that the time is just about to begin or occur.

drawing near to time

A more formal way of expressing that a certain time is approaching.

FAQs

How can I use "nearly time" in a sentence?

You can use "nearly time" to indicate that something is about to happen or is approaching. For example, "It's nearly time for the meeting to start" or "It's nearly time to go home".

What can I say instead of "nearly time"?

You can use alternatives like "almost time", "about time", or "close to time" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "nearly time" or "near time"?

"Nearly time" is the correct and more common phrasing. "Near time" is not typically used in standard English.

What's the difference between "nearly time" and "about time"?

"Nearly time" simply indicates that a moment is approaching. "About time" often implies that something is slightly overdue or was eagerly awaited.