nears

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As the season's second major nears, much of the pressure is mental for the leading contenders because they pretty much know where they are physically, and Federer has been in splendid form in front of the microphone in that respect this week.

The Guardian - Sport

As the project nears the end of the Guardian's regular coverage, Ewichu, a priest with the Katine Anglican church picked out education and water as areas where most has been achieved.

The Guardian

Related: Bali Nine: decade of turmoil for Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran nears a gruesome end "Bilateral issues could be impacted as a result so the government would need to weigh up what the consequences would be for Australia.

The Guardian

As the Obama Administration nears its end, I keep hearing from the bitterly disappointed and the generally bitter, who seem to believe that one man should have reversed the status quo more or less singlehandedly.

The Guardian - Opinion

Senior party strategists believe the polls will inevitably tighten as the general election nears, and as they hammer home their "elementary argument" that only a vote for Labour can stop Cameron.

The Guardian

As voting day nears, people tend to think about an election more, to pay closer attention to the campaign and ultimately decide how (and if) they will cast their ballot.

The Guardian

As the referendum on Scottish independence nears, I recall the feeling of deep depression that came over me 21 years ago at the time of Czechoslovakia's "velvet divorce".

The Guardian - Opinion

Heritage Action would like to see Republicans provide a "bold contrast" to Mr Obama, and show they care about ordinary Americans and their stagnating incomes, rather than "the lobbying class in Washington, and the Chamber of Commerce".The "no compromise" camp will grow louder as the next presidential race nears.

The Economist

As the election nears, alarm will grow within the DPJ over its two principal ballerinas.

The Economist

Gamblers also tend to shift their bets away from favourites towards long-shots as the day's racing nears its end.

The Economist

Mr Obama wants to close the Guantánamo Bay prison camp for terror suspects, but Republicans are opposed.The window for constructive co-operation will close as the 2016 election nears, and debates about Mr Obama's first-term policies towards Russia, Myanmar or Libya become chances to attack Hillary Clinton, his first secretary of state and a putative presidential candidate.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nears" to create a sense of anticipation or urgency, particularly when discussing deadlines, events, or milestones.

Common error

In casual conversation, consider using simpler alternatives like "is coming" or "is getting closer" to avoid sounding overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "nears" is that of a verb, specifically the third-person singular present indicative form. Ludwig AI confirms this usage aligns with standard English grammar, as demonstrated in numerous examples where it describes something approaching or drawing closer.

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, the verb "nears" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term, particularly in news and media contexts, to indicate that something is approaching in time or space. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and offers numerous examples of its usage. While appropriate for formal and neutral registers, it may be less suitable for casual conversation. Alternatives like "approaches" or "draws near" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Its prevalence in authoritative sources like The Economist and The Guardian underscores its credibility in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Approaches

Direct synonym, emphasizing the act of coming closer.

Draws near

More emphatic, suggesting a gradual movement closer.

Is approaching

Similar to "nears" but can refer to both time and distance.

Is imminent

Focuses on the impending nature of an event.

Comes closer

Highlights the diminishing distance.

Is on the horizon

Emphasizes anticipation and future expectation.

Is around the corner

Indicates closeness in time, often used for events.

Advances

Suggests steady progress toward a specific point.

Looms

Implies something large or significant is approaching.

Is forthcoming

Formal way of saying something will happen soon.

FAQs

How can I use "nears" in a sentence?

"Nears" is often used to indicate that something is approaching in time or distance. For example: "As the deadline "nears", we must finalize the report."

What can I say instead of "nears"?

You can use alternatives like "approaches", "draws near", or "is approaching" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "nears" or "is nearing"?

Both "nears" and "is nearing" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Nears" suggests a more immediate approach, while "is nearing" implies a process of becoming closer over time.

What's the difference between "nears" and "is imminent"?

"Nears" indicates something is getting closer, while "is imminent" implies that something is about to happen very soon. Imminent suggests a higher degree of certainty and immediacy.