was nearing completion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was nearing completion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a process or project that is close to being finished. Example: "The construction of the new library was nearing completion, and the grand opening was scheduled for next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Although the estate was nearing completion by this point, construction work was not entirely completed until 1929.

Wikipedia

Biological remediation was nearing completion at distances ≥80 m from the netpens, but was not complete under and at shorter distances in 2002 following 4 years of fallow.

Aquaculture

By the mid-1980s the project was nearing completion.

Britannica

It was late March when the home was nearing completion.

The Washington Post

The project had begun in 1940 and was nearing completion.

The New York Times - Arts

This suggests that the distribution of D. geminata cells among suitable habitats was nearing completion.

Science of The Total Environment

In 1987, just as the project was nearing completion, the stock market collapsed.

The New York Times

When the renovated building was nearing completion, Voorsanger invited Barnes down from Cambridge for a tour.

The New Yorker

I was nearing completion of the "S" files when I felt someone watching me.

The New Yorker

Conservatives said Friday that the legislation was nearing completion, but no details have been released.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

That project is nearing completion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was nearing completion" to describe projects, reports, or processes that are in their final stages of development or construction. This phrase effectively conveys the idea that the end is in sight.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of passive voice when using "was nearing completion". Instead of saying "the deadline was nearing completion by the team", opt for "the team was nearing completion of the deadline" for a more direct and engaging sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was nearing completion" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that a process or project is in the advanced stages of progress but not yet fully finished. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

22%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was nearing completion" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that something is close to being finished. As Ludwig confirms, it appears frequently across various contexts, including news, science, and general knowledge sources. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. Remember to use it to clearly convey progress and avoid overuse of the passive voice to maintain sentence clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was almost complete

Replaces "nearing completion" with a more direct synonym, "almost complete".

was approaching completion

Substitutes "nearing" with "approaching", indicating a similar state of progress.

was close to being finished

Replaces "nearing completion" with a more conversational alternative.

was in its final phase

Similar to "final stages" but highlights the specific phase.

was in the final stages

Shifts the focus to the stages of the process rather than proximity to completion.

was on track to finish

Focuses on the progress towards completion and the expected outcome.

was on the verge of completion

Emphasizes the imminence of completion.

was substantially complete

Emphasizes that most of the work had been done.

was drawing to a close

Uses a more figurative expression to describe the process ending.

was coming to fruition

Implies the realization of a plan or project.

FAQs

How can I use "was nearing completion" in a sentence?

You can use "was nearing completion" to describe something that is almost finished. For example: "The construction of the new bridge "was nearing completion"".

What are some alternatives to "was nearing completion"?

Some alternatives include "was almost complete", "was approaching completion", or "was in the final stages".

Is it better to say "was nearing completion" or "was near completion"?

"Was nearing completion" implies a process of getting closer to being finished, while "was near completion" suggests a state of being close to finished. The former is often more appropriate for ongoing projects.

What's the difference between "was nearing completion" and "was completed"?

"Was nearing completion" means something was in the process of almost being finished, whereas "was completed" means that it is entirely finished.