a closer race

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a closer race" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a competition or contest that is very competitive, with little difference in performance between the participants. Example: "The election turned out to be a closer race than anyone had anticipated, with both candidates receiving nearly equal votes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

A closer race than the men's 200m, this one.

The Guardian - Sport

The chances of a miss are higher, of course, when the polls show a closer race.

The New York Times

That would be a closer race — if not exactly close — compared to 2008.

The New York Times

A closer race – Obama has slipped and support for Gov. Romney has increased".

The New York Times

Her return to the campaign trail comes as a series of polls suggest a closer race.

The New York Times

GHY has always estimated a closer race than the public pollsters.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

It is a close race.

The New York Times

Pundits predict a close race.

The Economist

It could be a close race.

The Economist

(Mr. Sestak lost in a close race).

The New York Times

That it's a close race.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a competitive scenario, consider using "a closer race" to emphasize the reduced margin between competitors and heighten the sense of suspense.

Common error

Avoid using "a closer race" to describe the physical proximity of racers; instead, use it to convey the tightness of the competition or the small margin separating competitors. For describing physical distance, use phrases like "a race with runners in close proximity."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a closer race" functions primarily as a noun phrase used attributively to describe a competitive event. It emphasizes the reduced margin between competitors. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a closer race" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression to describe a competition where the margin between competitors is small, heightening the sense of suspense. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts but can also be used in more formal settings. Ludwig AI confirms that it is appropriate for conveying increased competitiveness and uncertainty. When using the phrase, ensure that it refers to the closeness of the competition rather than physical proximity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tight race

Emphasizes the small margin separating competitors.

a neck-and-neck race

Highlights the evenness of the competition, suggesting competitors are nearly aligned.

a competitive contest

Focuses on the high level of competition and engagement.

a heated competition

Indicates a race with intense rivalry and strong emotions.

a closely fought battle

Stresses the effort and intensity involved in the competition.

a narrow margin

Highlights the small difference between the leading competitors.

an evenly matched contest

Indicates that the competitors have similar abilities and chances of winning.

a photo finish

Suggests the race is so close that the winner can only be determined by a photograph.

a dead heat

Describes a race where two or more competitors finish at exactly the same time.

a too-close-to-call competition

Emphasizes the unpredictability and uncertainty of the final result.

FAQs

How to use "a closer race" in a sentence?

"A closer race" is used to describe a competition where the participants are very close in terms of performance or votes. For example, "The election turned out to be "a closer race" than expected, with both candidates receiving nearly equal votes."

What can I say instead of "a closer race"?

You can use alternatives like "a tight race", "a neck-and-neck race", or "a competitive contest" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a closer race" or "a more close race"?

"A closer race" is the correct and idiomatic phrasing. "A more close race" is grammatically awkward and not commonly used.

What's the difference between "a closer race" and "a close race"?

"A closer race" implies that the race was initially expected to be less competitive, but the gap between competitors has narrowed. While "a close race" simply means the competition is tight, without necessarily implying a change in expectations.