a close second to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a close second to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is nearly as good or as important as something else, often in a comparative context. Example: "In the race for the best pizza in town, Luigi's is a close second to Mario's."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"A close second to doing this show is actually having a place to live".

The New York Times

So the Jets' annual off-season saga continues, running a close second to the N.F.L. playoffs.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Dole won the caucuses, and Mr. Simon finished a close second to Richard A. Gephardt.

The New York Times

With combined assets of $1.1 trillion, the new banking giant runs a close second to Citigroup.

The New York Times

His strokeplay scoring average was a close second to Rory McIlroy.

The Guardian - Sport

Among adults 18 to 49, NBC finished a close second to ABC for the night.

The New York Times

"These are a close second to Nathan's hot dogs," said Ms. Geary, who grew up in New York.

The New York Times

The result left the real estate mogul reeling in a state that he finished in a close second to Cruz.

The Guardian

Helton was a close second to Kerry Wood for National League Rookie of the Year in 1998.

The New York Times - Sports

It ranks a close second to being inundated with calls from the media looking for a scandal that isn't there.

The Guardian - Opinion

D1 China Gains as Olympic Power China is running a close second to the United States in the medal count.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a close second to" when you want to emphasize that something is almost as good or important as the top choice. It suggests a narrow margin between the two.

Common error

While "a close second to" is widely understood, it can sound informal in highly formal or academic writing. Consider using alternatives like "the subsequent leader in" or "the next most significant" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a close second to" primarily functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that something is almost as good or important as something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a close second to" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is nearly as good or important as something else. Ludwig AI validates its usability in written English. It is frequently found in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral register. While versatile, it might be prudent to consider more formal alternatives in academic or highly technical writing. Remember that using "a close second to" effectively conveys a strong comparative relationship, highlighting a narrow margin between the top choice and the subsequent one.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Second only to

Emphasizes the minimal difference in ranking.

Runner-up to

Direct synonym focusing on competition ranking.

Second best to

Expresses being the next best in a simple way.

Nearly as good as

Focuses on comparable quality rather than strict ranking.

In second place behind

Explicitly states the placement in a ranked order.

Almost on par with

Suggests a very slight difference in quality.

A strong contender for

Highlights the competitive aspect and near-equal status.

Not far behind

Implies a small gap in achievement or quality.

Next in line after

Indicates sequential order in importance or preference.

A near equivalent of

Highlights the similarity in function or value.

FAQs

How can I use "a close second to" in a sentence?

Use "a close second to" to indicate that something ranks just below the best or most important thing. For example, "In terms of popularity, ice cream is "a close second to" chocolate."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "a close second to"?

Synonymous phrases include "runner-up to", "second only to", and "nearly as good as". Each conveys the idea of being in the immediate following position.

Is it always appropriate to use "a close second to" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, in very formal or academic writing, you might prefer phrases like "the subsequent leader in" or "the next most significant" for a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "a close second to" and "a distant second to"?

"A close second to" implies a small difference between the first and second items, whereas "a distant second to" suggests a significant gap in quality or importance.