Close to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Close to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate proximity in distance or similarity in characteristics. Example: "The store is close to my house, making it convenient for me to shop there."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Close to N.M.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Close to Dewar.

Independent

Close to schools and parks.

The New York Times

Close to the bone.

BBC

Close to nil.

Forbes

Close To Home: Most N.Y.

Forbes

Close to family.

WikiHow

Close to exit.

WikiHow

Close to their sister?

WikiHow

It's close to wrongness.

The New York Times - Arts

I'm close to him.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Close to" to indicate both physical proximity and the approximation of values (e.g., time, quantity).

Common error

Avoid using "Close to" when you mean 'not accessible'. "Closed to" indicates something is shut or not available, while "Close to" indicates proximity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Close to" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying nouns or pronouns to indicate proximity in space, time, or degree. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Close to" is a versatile prepositional phrase widely employed to denote proximity or approximation. As validated by Ludwig AI, it exhibits a neutral tone suitable for various contexts, although alternatives may be preferred in strictly formal or scientific settings. While generally correct, it's vital to avoid confusion with "closed to". Its use is common across News & Media, Wiki and Encyclopedias.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Near

Indicates physical proximity, often interchangeable but more concise.

Adjacent to

Emphasizes direct bordering or touching; slightly more formal.

In proximity to

More formal synonym for physical closeness.

Approximately

Highlights numerical or temporal estimation, rather than spatial nearness.

In the vicinity of

Indicates being in the general area, less precise.

Almost

Signifies nearing a state or condition, not necessarily physical location.

Practically

Suggests the nearly complete realization of something.

Bordering on

Suggests being very close to a boundary or abstract concept.

On the verge of

Implies imminent action or occurence.

Hardly any

Implies being extremely close to zero.

FAQs

How to use "Close to" in a sentence?

"Close to" can indicate physical proximity, as in "The park is "near to" my house". It can also mean 'approximately', as in "It took "almost" an hour".

What can I say instead of "Close to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "near", "approximately", or "almost".

Is "Close to" formal or informal?

"Close to" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might consider "in proximity to".

What's the difference between "Close to" and "closed to"?

"Close to" means "near" or approximately, while "closed to" means inaccessible or shut off. They have very different meanings and cannot be used interchangeably.