towards the close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "towards the close" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a point in time or a situation that is approaching its end or conclusion. Example: "Towards the close of the meeting, we discussed the next steps for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Towards the close, Hughes grappled with Aeschylus.

The Guardian

There was also talk of a major pan-European sell programme towards the close of trading.

The Guardian - Business

Towards the close of the novel, Dellarobia finds a lamb in the snow, born unseasonably early.

The Guardian - Books

But most months, most years, especially towards the close of his Guardian career, Cooke wasn't there.

The Guardian

Towards the close of the same winter, Salaethus, a Lacedaemonian, was sent out in a galley from Lacedaemon to Mitylene.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

After a fairly calm start, there was a sharp sell-off towards the close as investors decided to take profits.

The Guardian - Business

Finally, a service will take place in his local church in Hamilton towards the close of the day.

The Guardian

For all Hugh's drunken fluency in four languages, his prolonged silence towards the close is his most expressive.

The Guardian

The London stock market has hit a new three-month low as it staggers towards the close with fresh losses.

The Guardian - Business

It's nice to be back," Savages frontwoman Jehnny Beth informs her audience towards the close of this evening's show.

Independent

Starting at the far end of the range of film distances, a focal measure is computed at 0.5mm steps moving towards the close end.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "towards the close" to indicate the later stages of an event, period, or process, suggesting a gradual approach to the end. For example, "Towards the close of the meeting, key decisions were made."

Common error

Avoid using "towards the close" when referring to an exact endpoint. Instead, opt for "at the close" to specify a precise moment of termination. For example, say "at the close of business", not "towards the close of business", if you mean the exact moment the business day ends.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "towards the close" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate the timing of an action or event relative to the end of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it specifies that something occurs near or as something is concluding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "towards the close" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate that something occurs near the end of a period, event, or process. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. Its common contexts include news, academia, and science, lending it a neutral to professional tone. When using this phrase, remember to consider its gradual aspect, distinguishing it from "at the close", which signifies the exact endpoint. Employ "towards the close" to add temporal context and clarity to your writing, signaling the progression towards a conclusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

near the end

This alternative is more direct and concise, focusing on the proximity to the ending point.

close to the end

This option maintains a similar structure but adds slight emphasis to the nearness of the conclusion.

at the end

This alternative emphasizes a specific point of termination rather than the process leading up to it.

drawing to a close

This alternative focuses on the gradual process of ending, implying a sense of completion.

as it concludes

This option shifts the focus to the concluding action itself.

nearing completion

This phrase emphasizes the state of being almost complete, rather than a specific point in time.

in the final stages

This alternative highlights that the process is in its last phases.

at the last

This is a simpler way to point out something happened in the final part of a process or event.

on the verge of ending

This suggests an imminent conclusion, almost at the very moment of finishing.

approaching the end

This implies a movement or progression towards the final part.

FAQs

How can I use "towards the close" in a sentence?

You can use "towards the close" to refer to the ending period of an event or a time frame. For example, "Towards the close of the negotiations, a compromise was reached".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "towards the close"?

Alternatives include "near the end", "at the end", or "drawing to a close". The best option depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "at the close" instead of "towards the close"?

Both are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "At the close" refers to the precise end point, while "towards the close" refers to the period leading up to it.

What's the difference between "towards the close" and "nearing the end"?

"Towards the close" is often used in more formal contexts to describe the ending phase of a specific event or period. "Nearing the end" is a more general phrase that indicates something is "nearing the end" of its duration.