a close countries

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a close countries" is not correct in English.
It should be "close countries" or "a close country." You can use it when referring to nations that are geographically near each other or have strong relationships. Example: "The trade agreement will benefit both close countries, enhancing their economic ties."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As the Millennium Development Goals era comes to a close, countries and global partners have recognised the need for greater attention to maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health as demonstrated by the development of action plans such as ENAP and EPMM.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Immigrating to a close country or having more knowledge about it dampens the risk of overeducation (Aleksynska and Tritah 2013; Tani 2012).

Journal for Labour Market Research

BURMA VJ Reporting From a Closed Country Opens on Wednesday in Manhattan.

The New York Times

Should his admission make him seem less than courageous, consider "Burma VJ: Reporting from a Closed Country".

The New York Times

Officials are concerned that an airlift back to Australia could take at least 30 hours, during which time the person could die, and a more suitable arrangement would be an evacuation to a closer country.

The Guardian

Many of the images in "Burma VJ: Reporting From a Closed Country" are shaky and blurred, captured with video cameras small enough to be quickly concealed in circumstances of danger and chaos.

The New York Times

As nearly four years of negotiations come to a close, TPP countries face a choice.

Huffington Post

So between 1995 and 1997, the author concludes, the "high season of jihad" began to draw to a close in many countries.

The New York Times - Books

The automatic washing-machine might give it a close run in countries where it is commonplace, by freeing women from an activity that used to take many hours a week.

The Economist

A royal tour of New Zealand and Australia has drawn to a close with both countries 'broadly content'.

BBC

Jordan is a close ally of countries like the UK and U.S.; the idea here is that as a result its government would be responsive if the right authorities weighed in.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to countries that are geographically near each other, consider using "neighboring countries" or "adjacent countries" instead of "a close countries".

Common error

Avoid using the indefinite article "a" before the plural noun "countries". It's grammatically incorrect. Use "close countries" or rephrase to "a close country" if referring to a single nation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a close countries" attempts to describe nations that are either geographically near or share strong relationships. However, it is grammatically incorrect due to the mismatch between the singular article "a" and the plural noun "countries". As Ludwig AI clarifies, the correct forms are "close countries" or "a close country".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a close countries" is grammatically incorrect. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the correct alternatives are "close countries" or "a close country", depending on whether you are referring to multiple nations or a single nation. When referring to geographical proximity, consider using "neighboring countries" or "adjacent countries". For emphasizing strong relationships, use "closely allied countries" or "countries with close ties". It's important to avoid the common error of using the indefinite article "a" with plural nouns like "countries" to ensure grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neighboring countries

Focuses on geographical proximity, emphasizing that the countries are near each other.

adjacent countries

Similar to 'neighboring', but emphasizes shared borders or immediate adjacency.

countries in close proximity

Highlights the physical nearness of the countries, using a more descriptive phrase.

nearby countries

A simpler and more general way to indicate that the countries are located near each other.

closely allied countries

Shifts the focus from geographical closeness to strong political or military alliances.

countries with close ties

Emphasizes strong relationships, whether economic, cultural, or political.

countries with strong relationships

Similar to 'close ties' but broader, encompassing various forms of robust connections.

countries sharing close bonds

Highlights a sense of unity and deep connection between the countries.

countries with intimate relations

Suggests a very deep and involved relationship, often implying mutual understanding and cooperation.

countries in a close alliance

Specifies a formal agreement or pact that binds the countries together.

FAQs

How can I correctly refer to countries that are near each other?

Instead of "a close countries", use phrases like "neighboring countries", "adjacent countries", or "countries in close proximity".

Is it grammatically correct to say "a close countries"?

No, "a close countries" is not grammatically correct. The indefinite article "a" is used with singular nouns, not plural nouns like "countries". You should say "close countries" or "a close country".

What's the difference between "a close country" and "close countries"?

"A close country" refers to a single nation that is either geographically near or has strong ties with another entity. "Close countries" (without the article "a") refers to multiple nations that are either geographically near each other or have strong ties.

What are some alternatives to "a close countries" that emphasize strong relationships?

If you want to emphasize strong relationships rather than geographical proximity, consider using phrases like "closely allied countries" or "countries with close ties".