Close of the month

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Close of the month" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the end or conclusion of a month, often in financial or reporting contexts. Example: "We need to finalize all accounts by the close of the month to ensure accurate reporting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Vegetables and produce, in storage heretofore considered safe, were frozen, and the amount of damage therefrom remained unknown at the close of the month.

The New York Times

"Snow falling on the 13th was later reduced to an ice coating in nearly all sections, which lasted till the close of the month.

The New York Times

After facing the now inescapable round of official receptions en route, by the close of the month she was back at Malmaison.

University of Chicago

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The next day, UB-47 closed out the month of October with the sinking of the Greek steamer Avis.

Wikipedia

The Liverpool manager said that while players could still leave Anfield, there wouldm't be any arrivals before the close of the January transfer window.

Independent

Chester boss Steve Burr is still keen to bring in new players ahead of the close of the August transfer window.

BBC

Wolves boss Dean Saunders is targeting the area he knows best as he plans to freshen up his squad at Molineux before the close of the January window.

BBC

Wes Morgan has reaffirmed his desire to secure a new contract at Leicester City, ideally before the close of the January transfer window.

BBC

Birmingham City manager Gary Rowett admits that he is not surprised at all the transfer speculation surrounding Blues' prize asset Demarai Gray, ahead of the close of the August window.

BBC

Coventry City manager Steven Pressley admits that he feels "let down" by Leon Clarke as he prepares for the departure of his 18-goal top scorer before the close of the January transfer window.

BBC

At the close of the June meeting, the Government of Ethiopia committed to hosting a follow-up meeting with African health ministers in January 2013, to coincide, roughly, with the African Union Summit.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close of the month" when you want to sound formal or professional, especially in financial reports or official communications.

Common error

Avoid using "close of the month" interchangeably with specific deadlines falling within that time frame. The phrase denotes the end of the entire monthly period, not necessarily a particular date within it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close of the month" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used as an adverbial modifier to indicate when something occurs or is due. It specifies a timeframe related to the end of a calendar month. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close of the month" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to denote the end of a month. As Ludwig AI underlines, its use is valid and generally accepted. While the phrase can be used in multiple contexts, as highlighted by Ludwig's examples, it is most commonly encountered in professional or formal settings, as confirmed by frequent sources like The New York Times or the BBC. When it comes to writing, remember that while "close of the month" is often interchangeable with "end of the month", the former may be more suited for formal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

End of the month

A direct synonym, simply replacing "close" with "end".

Month's end

Similar to "end of the month" but uses a possessive form.

Final day of the month

More explicit about the last day.

Last business day of the month

Focuses on the final working day.

Month-end

A shorter, hyphenated form, often used in business contexts.

As the month concludes

A more descriptive and literary alternative.

Upon the month's completion

A more formal and elaborate way to say "end of the month".

At the turning of the month

Emphasizes the transition to the next month.

Month's termination

Uses a more formal synonym for "end".

Month's expiration

Draws an analogy to the ending or expiring period of time.

FAQs

How can I use "close of the month" in a sentence?

You can use "close of the month" to indicate a deadline or a point in time. For example: "All reports must be submitted by the "end of the month"", or "We will review the budget at the "end of the month"".

What's a simpler way to say "close of the month"?

A simpler alternative is "end of the month", which is widely understood and less formal.

Is "close of the month" appropriate for all types of writing?

While grammatically correct, "close of the month" is better suited for professional or formal contexts. For casual writing, consider using "end of the month" instead.

Which is correct, "at the close of the month" or "by the close of the month"?

Both are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "At the close of the month" refers to something happening precisely at the end, while "by the close of the month" indicates a deadline or an event that must occur before the month ends.