slowly nearing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slowly nearing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual approach or progression towards a particular point or goal. Example: "As the deadline approaches, we are slowly nearing the completion of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In many sections of society income and standards of living are slowly nearing central European standards.

The Guardian - Opinion

With this award, Arandela feels that ZIDOFA is slowly nearing the targeted completion of a closed-loop organic SRI rice value chain.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

So as a river removes overlying rock to form a canyon, that once-deep bit of rock cools as it slowly nears the surface.

Science Magazine

Everyone sat separately when they boarded the yellow bus, staring out the window in silence as they slowly neared the high school, past flashing police cars, media TV crews and yellow police caution tape.

Los Angeles Times

We began our run slowly near the beginning of the trail, in the southwest corner of the park near Columbus Circle.

The New York Times

"You grab them, and let them strike at you and strike at you until they wear themselves out," said Blake Russ, who leaned out of the man-van as it rolled slowly near an abandoned mango orchard and a canal.

The New York Times

Sgt. Fred Louis of the Salt Lake City Police Department said a milkman noticed him driving slowly near the Smart family's house two days before the abduction and called the authorities.

The New York Times

The thoughtful, never too literal visual narrative employed Viola's characteristic imagery of water, fire, sea, night-time forests, distant horizons which come slowly nearer, and humans in ritualistic or biblically inspired poses: prelapsarian, baptismal, transcendent.

The Guardian - Music

His equations made predictions that were counterintuitive and even preposterous — that the path of light from a distant source would be curved by passing near a strong gravitational field, for example, or that time would pass more slowly near a strong gravitational field.

The Washington Post

The cancellation of these two anisotropies (associated with stiffness and mobility) originates in the Ising model from the fact that the number of geometrically necessary kinks, and hence the kink configurational entropy, varies rapidly with inclination near low-energy/low mobility, but slowly near high-energy/high-mobility interfaces, where the kink density is high.

Acta Materialia

Glenn Lunden, the director of rail systems planning for New York City Transit, said the Lexington Avenue trains operate more slowly near the old 18th Street station because there are sharp curves a short distance away, at the 14th Street-Union Square station and just north of that point.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slowly nearing" to convey a sense of gradual progress towards a specific goal or state, particularly when emphasizing the time or effort involved in the approach.

Common error

Avoid using "slowly nearing" in very casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for more direct and simpler alternatives like "almost there" or "getting close" for a more natural feel.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slowly nearing" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a larger sentence to indicate a gradual movement or progression towards a specific destination or state. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slowly nearing" describes a gradual progression towards a specific point or state. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability in written English. It's best suited for contexts where emphasizing the gradual nature of approach is important. While grammatically sound, "slowly nearing" has a low frequency and is more formal, so consider simpler alternatives like "gradually approaching" in casual contexts. Its function, purpose, and usage patterns make it most relevant for news, academic and scientific writing where a descriptive and precise tone is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gradually approaching

Emphasizes the gradual nature of the approach, focusing on the process itself.

slowly approaching

A more direct synonym, emphasizing the slowness of the approach.

drawing nearer

A more literary or formal way to describe a gradual approach.

inching closer

Suggests a slow, almost imperceptible movement towards a goal.

progressing slowly

Focuses on the slow pace of advancement or development.

advancing gradually

Highlights the steady and measured progress being made.

approaching steadily

Implies a consistent and unwavering approach, even if it's slow.

moving incrementally closer

Emphasizes the small steps being taken to get closer to the goal.

making slow progress toward

Highlights the effort and movement towards a specific target.

coming closer bit by bit

Suggests a step-by-step approach, highlighting the small increments of progress.

FAQs

What does "slowly nearing" mean?

The phrase "slowly nearing" describes a gradual approach or progression towards a particular point, goal, or state.

What can I say instead of "slowly nearing"?

You can use alternatives like "gradually approaching", "slowly approaching", or "drawing nearer" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "slowly approaching" or "slowly nearing"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "slowly approaching" is more common in everyday language. "Slowly nearing" can sound slightly more formal or literary. Ultimately, it depends on the specific context and desired tone.

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

You might say, "As the deadline approaches, we are "slowly nearing" the completion of the project" or "In many sections of society income and standards of living are "slowly nearing" central European standards."