they are closing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they are closing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is in the process of shutting down or coming to an end, such as a business, event, or opportunity. Example: "The stores are closing early today due to the holiday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They are closing their school.

The New York Times - Style

"I know they are closing.

The Washington Post

They are closing their EOC at 1800hrs.

The Washington Post

They are closing with an acceleration of x.

Cornell University

So they are closing ranks to try to stop it.

The New York Times

They are closing in.Closest of all is Bombardier of Canada.

The Economist

"They are closing down the government," he said.

The New York Times

"They are closing down Ukrainian schools, Ukrainian newspapers.

The Washington Post

They are closing the gates that should be open".

The Guardian - Books

For the most part, they are closing peripheral, not flagship, divisions.

The Economist

They are closing and you must not straddle the platform and the train.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they are closing" to clearly and directly state that a process, business, or entity is in the act of ending or shutting down.

Common error

Avoid using "they are closing" when you actually mean "they are close", which indicates proximity rather than cessation. Ensure the context clearly reflects an ending or shutdown.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are closing" functions as a declarative statement indicating an action in progress. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It reports an active process of ending, shutting down, or terminating something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

7%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they are closing" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to convey that something is in the process of ending or shutting down. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and utility across various contexts. It is primarily employed in neutral registers, making it suitable for news, academic discussions, and business communications. While synonyms like "they are shutting down" and "they are ceasing operations" offer alternative phrasing, the original phrase remains a clear and effective way to communicate an ongoing closure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they're shutting down

Replaces "closing" with a more informal synonym, "shutting down".

they're ceasing operations

Uses a more formal and business-oriented term, "ceasing operations", to describe the closure.

they're winding down

Implies a gradual closure, a process of reducing activity over time.

they're going out of business

Specifically refers to a business closing permanently.

they're terminating

A more formal way of saying they are ending something, suitable in professional settings.

they're drawing to a close

Suggests that something is coming to its natural end.

they're bringing to an end

Focuses on the action of causing something to finish.

they're finalizing the closure

Highlights the completion of the closing process.

they're putting an end to

Emphasizes the decisive action of ending something.

they are discontinuing

Highlights ceasing a specific activity or product.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they are closing" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "they are ceasing operations" or "they are terminating", which are often used in business and official contexts.

What's the difference between "they are closing" and "they are shutting down"?

While both phrases mean that something is ending, "they are shutting down" is generally more informal than "they are closing". The choice depends on the context and your desired tone.

Is "they're closing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they're closing" is the contracted form of "they are closing" and is grammatically correct. It's commonly used in both spoken and written English.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "they are closing"?

You can use "they are closing" when referring to businesses, events, or any entity that is in the process of ending or shutting down. For example, "They are closing the store for renovations" or "They are closing the event due to bad weather".