rapidly nearing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rapidly nearing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is approaching quickly, often in terms of time or distance. Example: "The deadline for the project is rapidly nearing, and we need to finalize our plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But it is rapidly nearing its end, he said.

The New York Times

The problem is that the Germans are urging further cuts on economies that are rapidly nearing the end of their tether.

The Guardian - Business

By Russell Platt September 24, 2008 As those of us who have an Eastern view in the Condé Nast Building know, the Bank of America Building, at the corner of Sixth Avenue and 42nd Street, is rapidly nearing completion.

The New Yorker

As those of us who have an Eastern view in the Condé Nast Building know, the Bank of America Building, at the corner of Sixth Avenue and 42nd Street, is rapidly nearing completion.

The New Yorker

But BP has not been able to increase the collection rate because the machinery on its surface ship is rapidly nearing its 15,000 barrel-a-day limit on the amount of oil it can process for storage.

The New York Times

Thus the entire story, like a second-rate fish stew, appears to be filled with the cut-offs and leftovers of stuff we have already been asked to consume and are rapidly nearing their best-before date.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

As my time in Timor-Leste rapidly nears its conclusion (only two short months left!), I already have much to look back on-and memories to treasure for a lifetime.

Huffington Post

The effectiveness of this hybrid method wanes when one samples fields whose energy spectrum decays more rapidly near the origin.

Journal of Computational Physics

Phase shift analysis reveals that phase shifts between the wave and the sloshing loads change rapidly near the natural roll frequency and natural sloshing frequency.

Journal of Fluids and Structures

The temperature sensors, located near the inlet infiltration boundary, required a shorter time to reach the steady state, because the temperature declined more rapidly near the inlet.

Journal of Hydrology

This suggests that the structure of the supercooled liquid orders more rapidly near the glass transition temperature, a conclusion that is supported by molecular dynamics simulations.

Acta Materialia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rapidly nearing" when you want to emphasize the speed and imminence of an event or deadline. For example, "The project deadline is rapidly nearing, so we need to finalize the details."

Common error

Avoid using "rapidly nearing" in very casual or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "coming soon" or "almost here" may be more appropriate in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rapidly nearing" functions as a modifier describing how something is approaching a specific state or point in time. It combines an adverb ("rapidly") with a verb ("nearing") to emphasize the speed of approach. Ludwig confirms this usage through various examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rapidly nearing" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to emphasize the quick approach of something. As indicated by Ludwig, it's prevalent in news, science, and formal business contexts, lending a sense of urgency and imminence. While appropriate for various writing styles, it's best to avoid overuse in highly informal settings, opting for simpler alternatives instead. When using "rapidly nearing", ensure it accurately reflects the speed and proximity of the event or state you're describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quickly approaching

Replaces "rapidly" with "quickly", emphasizing speed of approach.

swiftly approaching

Uses "swiftly" instead of "rapidly", suggesting a fast and smooth approach.

fast approaching

Similar to "quickly approaching" but with a slightly less formal tone.

imminently approaching

Indicates that something is about to happen very soon.

drawing closer

Emphasizes the progressive reduction in distance or time.

closing in

Suggests that something is getting closer and potentially more urgent or threatening.

becoming imminent

Highlights the growing certainty and nearness of an event.

on the horizon

Indicates that something is likely to happen in the near future.

just around the corner

Implies that an event is very close in time.

coming soon

A simple and direct way to express that something will happen shortly.

FAQs

How can I use "rapidly nearing" in a sentence?

"Rapidly nearing" is used to describe something that is quickly approaching. For example: "The end of the fiscal year is rapidly nearing."

What are some alternatives to "rapidly nearing"?

You can use alternatives like "quickly approaching", "swiftly approaching", or "fast approaching" depending on the specific context.

Is "rapidly nearing" formal or informal?

"Rapidly nearing" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for news, business, or academic writing. In very casual conversation, simpler alternatives might be preferred.

What does "rapidly nearing completion" mean?

It means that something is almost finished. For example, "The new bridge is rapidly nearing completion and will open to traffic next month."