Definition

1. Prepositional phrase:
   • At the approach of, as ... is drawing near: Indicates that a specific event or time period is imminent or about to begin. It describes the period just before something happens.

Usage

• This phrase is used to set a temporal context, highlighting the proximity to a significant upcoming event, festival, or moment.
• It often carries a sense of anticipation or preparation.
• It is typically placed at the beginning of a sentence or clause.

Usage Examples

• Prepositional phrase:
  • Gần đến Tết, mọi người đều bận rộn mua sắm. (At the approach of Tet, everyone is busy shopping.)
  • Gần đến giờ thi, cô ấy cảm thấy rất căng thẳng. (As the exam time is drawing near, she feels very stressed.)
  • Gần đến mùa mưa, nông dân bắt đầu chuẩn bị. (At the approach of the rainy season, farmers begin to prepare.)

Advanced Usage

• "Gần đến lúc..." / "Gần đến thời điểm...": As the time for... is approaching.
  • Gần đến lúc tôi phải ra quyết định quan trọng. (As the time for me to make an important decision is approaching.)
• Used in formal writing or narratives to build context about an impending situation.
  • Gần đến ngày kỷ niệm, thành phố được trang hoàng lộng lẫy. (At the approach of the anniversary, the city was decorated splendidly.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sắp đến (v): Is about to arrive/come. (e.g., - Tet is about to come.)
• Sắp tới (adj/phrase): Forthcoming, upcoming. (e.g., - in the forthcoming holiday.)
• Cận kề (adj): Imminent, very near (often for abstract concepts like danger or death). (e.g., - danger was imminent.)

Synonyms

• Vào khoảng: Around (a time). (Less specific about immediacy.)
• Trước thềm: On the eve of, on the threshold of. (More literary, often for very specific events.)

Related Phrases

• Gần đến nơi: To be nearly there (physically). (e.g., - We are nearly there.)
• Gần đến hạn: To be nearing a deadline. (e.g., - The project is nearing its deadline.)

Related Idioms

• Gần đến chân mới nhảy: To act only at the last minute (equivalent to "until the eleventh hour").
  • Anh ta luôn gần đến chân mới nhảy, không bao giờ chuẩn bị trước. (He always acts at the last minute, never prepares in advance.)

1. At the approach of
   • Gần đến Tết
     At the approach of Tet; as Tet is drawing near