Cool MateApproaching vs Forthcoming vs Imminent
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Approaching
Top 2,000 (common)
Forthcoming
Top 3,000 (common)C1adjective
Imminent
Top 5,000 (fairly common)C1adjective
Most common: Approaching
| Approaching | Forthcoming | Imminent | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //əˈprəʊtʃɪŋ//🇺🇸 //əˈproʊtʃɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌfɔːθˈkʌmɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌfɔːrθˈkʌmɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɪmɪnənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɪmɪnənt/"]/ |
| Meaning | Getting closer to something or someone. | Coming soon or about to happen. | Something that is going to happen very soon. |
| Example | The train is approaching the station quickly. | the forthcoming elections | the imminent threat of invasion |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective | |
| Collocations | approaching danger, approaching deadlines, approaching distance, approaching storm, approaching target | be, readily, immediately, be, not very, about | imminent danger, imminent threat, imminent arrival, imminent decision, imminent change |
| Antonyms | departing, leaving, moving away | distant, remote, uncertain | distant, remote, unlikely |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'approach' as a noun instead of a verb., Using incorrect prepositions, e.g., 'approach to' instead of 'approach'., Not specifying what is being approached. | Confused with 'forthcoming' vs 'forth comings' (think of it as a single word)., Using it to describe people who are unwilling to share (it actually means they are ready to share). | 'Imminent' is not interchangeable with 'imminent' when describing future events., Confusing 'imminent' with 'immediate', which means happening right away., Using 'imminent' for events far in the future. |
| Usage notes | Use in both formal and informal contexts. Suitable for any situation where someone is getting closer physically or metaphorically. Be careful in formal writing to clarify intent. | Use 'forthcoming' when referring to something that is expected to happen soon, like events or information. It's more formal than just saying 'coming soon.' Avoid in casual conversations. | Use 'imminent' to describe things that are about to happen, especially in serious or urgent situations. It is not typically used in casual conversation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Approaching vs Forthcoming vs Imminent
What's the difference between Approaching, Forthcoming, and Imminent?
Approaching: Getting closer to something or someone. Forthcoming: Coming soon or about to happen. Imminent: Something that is going to happen very soon.
Which is more common: Approaching, Forthcoming, and Imminent?
Approaching is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Approaching: The train is approaching the station quickly. Forthcoming: the forthcoming elections Imminent: the imminent threat of invasion
Can I use Approaching, Forthcoming, and Imminent interchangeably?
Not always. Approaching, Forthcoming, and Imminent are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.