Is “Vastly Approaching” Correct? Understanding the Phrase
Sometimes, while writing or speaking, we come across phrases that sound impressive but may not actually be grammatically correct or make complete sense. One such phrase often questioned is “vastly approaching”. At first glance, it might sound poetic or dramatic, but is it actually used correctly in English? Let’s break it down step by step to understand its meaning, usage, and alternatives.
Breaking Down the Phrase
What Does “Vastly” Mean?
Vastly is an adverb that means “to a great extent” or “immensely.” It emphasizes the degree or scale of something. For example:
- The population has vastly increased over the past decade.
- This new technology is vastly superior to the old one.
In short, “vastly” is used to intensify an adjective or adverb, telling us that something is much greater or more significant than average.
What Does “Approaching” Mean?
Approaching is the present participle of “approach,” meaning to come near or get closer to someone, something, or a particular point in time. For example:
- The train is approaching the station.
- Winter is approaching quickly.
It can refer to physical movement, emotional closeness, or time-based events.
Why “Vastly Approaching” Sounds Odd
When you combine “vastly” and “approaching,” the result is a phrase that feels awkward, because “vastly” describes degree or size, while “approaching” describes movement or progress. In English, adverbs like “vastly” are usually paired with adjectives or verbs that describe qualities, not actions of movement.
For example:
- Correct: “The festival is quickly approaching.” (Here “quickly” modifies the speed of approaching.)
- Awkward: “The festival is vastly approaching.” (What aspect of approaching is “vast”? The meaning becomes unclear.)
In simple terms, you can think of it like this: “vastly” works well when something can be measured in amount or extent, but “approaching” is about progress toward something, and extent doesn’t naturally fit here.
Better Alternatives to “Vastly Approaching”
If your goal is to emphasize that something is coming closer in time or space in a strong, dramatic way, there are more natural word choices in English:
- Rapidly approaching — Highlights speed
- Quickly approaching — Simple and clear
- Fast approaching — Common and conversational
- Inevitably approaching — Adds a sense of certainty
- Steadily approaching — Suggests gradual movement
Each of these clearly modifies “approaching” by describing how the approaching is happening, rather than trying to measure its size or extent.
Real-Life Example
Imagine you’re announcing an upcoming exam to your classmates. You might say:
- Incorrect: “Our final exam is vastly approaching.”
- Correct: “Our final exam is quickly approaching, so we need to start revising.”
The second example clearly conveys urgency, while the first might confuse listeners because “vastly” does not logically describe the process of approaching.
Key Points to Remember
- “Vastly” means to a great extent, and works best with adjectives like different, superior, or improved.
- “Approaching” means coming closer — in time, space, or relationship.
- They don’t naturally pair in standard English usage because their meanings don’t align smoothly.
- If you want emphasis on speed or inevitability, choose adverbs like “quickly,” “rapidly,” “steadily,” or “inevitably.”
💡 Final Thought
While “vastly approaching” might sound dramatic, it’s not considered correct or common in English grammar. If you’re writing an essay, a blog post, or even making an announcement, choose an adverb that clearly communicates how something is approaching. Language is about clarity as much as creativity — selecting the right words ensures your message hits the mark and your readers understand exactly what you mean.