a close associate to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a close associate to" is not correct in standard English; it should be "a close associate of." You can use the corrected phrase when referring to someone who has a strong relationship or connection with another person.
Example: "He is a close associate of the CEO, often collaborating on major projects."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

She had been sympathetic to him on social media and Mr. Guzmán instructed a close associate to contact her.

The New York Times

The conduct alleged in the indictment ranges from the ambitious to the nearly silly: from extorting payments from a close associate to help win the boiler contract to altering a $7 receipt for a bagel sandwich and diet soda so that Mr. Seabrook was reimbursed $177 for the purchase.

The New York Times

Once Molina was elected to the council by defeating Larry Gonzalez, who was supported by Alatorre and Torres, it was widely assumed that she would pick a close associate to run for the Assembly vacancy.

Los Angeles Times

He has been a close associate to many visionary filmmakers -- Stanley Kubrick, Robert Altman, Hal Ashby, Lindsay Anderson, Mike Hodges, Alan Rudolph, Abraham Polonsky -- an innovative marketing executive at MGM and Warner Brothers, an independent distributor in the United States and the United Kingdom, a producer, documentary director, actor, and an award winning poster designer.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Actinobacterial and Firmicutes species with multiple NarJ sequences (clades 1b c) demonstrated a close associated to NarJ sequences on adjacent branches, indicating that multiple NarJ sequences in Gram-positive were the result of recent gene duplications (clades 1b c).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

It was Mrs. Arroyo who appointed Chief Justice Corona, a longtime close associate, to the Supreme Court.

The New York Times

The statements - which a close associate characterised to the Israeli press as warning that the country was "on the verge of a catastrophe" - will also reinforce a growing perception among the public that Mr Sharon is unable to deliver the peace with security he promised when he came to office nearly three years ago.

The Guardian

The investigation found that before the Saints' season-opening game in 2011 against the Green Bay Packers, Payton received an e-mail from a close associate — believed to be Mike Ornstein, a marketing agent who is a convicted felon — that stated, in part, "PS Greg Williams put me down for $5000 on Rogers".

The New York Times - Sports

According to a close associate, the decision to retire this year was more his wife's than his.

The New York Times - Magazine

In 1929, Khrushchev again sought to further his education, following Kaganovich (now in the Kremlin as a close associate of Stalin) to Moscow and enrolling in the Stalin Industrial Academy.

Wikipedia

Gates – who was involved in Trump's controversial nomination of the ExxonMobil chief executive, Rex Tillerson, a close associate of Putin, to be secretary of state – repeated criticisms of the gap between Obama's "rhetoric" and action on foreign policy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "a close associate of" instead of "a close associate to". The preposition "of" correctly indicates the relationship between the associate and the person they are connected to.

Common error

Avoid using "to" after "associate" when describing a close relationship. Using "to" is grammatically incorrect and can confuse readers. Always use "of" to show the correct connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a close associate to" functions as a noun phrase intended to describe a person with a significant relationship to another. However, it's grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig AI, the correct form is "a close associate of."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a close associate to" is flagged as grammatically incorrect. The proper form is "a close associate of". While Ludwig AI acknowledges its presence in various sources, it emphasizes that using "of" is essential for grammatical accuracy and clarity. The phrase aims to describe someone with a significant connection to another person, often in professional or political spheres. While its intended register is neutral, the grammatical error undermines its credibility. Alternatives such as "a close colleague of", "a close ally of", and "a close confidant of" offer grammatically sound ways to express similar relationships.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a close colleague of

Replaces "associate" with "colleague", implying a professional connection.

a close confidant of

Suggests a relationship built on trust and shared secrets.

a close ally of

Highlights a bond based on shared goals and support.

a close friend of

Emphasizes a personal connection rather than a professional one.

a close partner of

Indicates collaboration and shared interests.

a close advisor to

Focuses on the role of providing guidance and counsel.

a close disciple of

Implies a student-teacher relationship with strong influence.

a close protégé of

Highlights a relationship where one person is mentored by another.

a close acquaintance of

Suggests a less intimate relationship than "friend" but still familiar.

someone closely linked to

Uses more general wording to describe the connection.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say it, "a close associate to" or "a close associate of"?

The correct phrase is "a close associate of". The preposition "of" is required to show the relationship between the associate and the person they are connected to.

What does "a close associate of" mean?

It refers to someone who has a significant and often long-standing relationship with another person, often in a professional or political context. They are typically trusted and work closely together.

What are some alternatives to saying "a close associate of"?

You can use alternatives such as "a close colleague of", "a close ally of", or "a close confidant of" depending on the specific nature of the relationship.

Is "a close associate to" ever correct in English?

No, "a close associate to" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. Always use "a close associate of". Using other prepositions can change the meaning.