a closer second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a closer second" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very near to being the best or first in a ranking or comparison. Example: "In the race for best-selling novel, her book was a closer second to the top seller."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In Oklahoma two weeks ago, Mr. Edwards similarly ran a closer second than expected, and the breathless coverage of his showing was extremely short lived.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Russia was a close second.

The New York Times - Sports

Delta is a close second.

The New York Times

A close second is anger.

The New York Times - Sports

Nobody's a close second".

The New York Times

George W. Bush runs a close second.

The New Yorker

"A close second," Russell replied.

The New York Times - Sports

Napoleon was a close second.

The New York Times

Let's say a close second.

The New York Times

Hong Kong, he said, is a close second.

The New York Times

Traditional family portraits are a close second.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a closer second" when you want to emphasize that something or someone is very near to being the best or first, suggesting a tight competition or a small difference in quality or ranking.

Common error

Avoid using "a closer second" if the actual difference is substantial. The phrase implies a small margin; using it when the gap is significant can mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a closer second" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, typically referring to a position in a ranking or competition. It suggests that the entity in second place is very near to the top spot. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a closer second" is a useful way to describe something that nearly achieves first place, indicating a narrow margin or a tight competition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for both formal and informal contexts, particularly in news and media. Alternatives such as "a near second" or "a tight second" can be used for variety. When using "a closer second", ensure the context warrants the implication of near-equality, and avoid using it when the gap is substantial. This ensures clarity and avoids misleading your audience. Its function is usually as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to emphasize the small distance in rank from the first position.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a near second

This alternative emphasizes proximity in ranking; it's straightforward and widely applicable.

a tight second

This suggests the margin between first and second is small, implying strong competition.

a narrow second

Similar to "tight second", this emphasizes the small difference separating the two.

runner-up

This alternative is a common noun phrase and is used to describe the person or team that finishes in second place.

second best

This indicates something that is good but not the best, implying a difference in quality.

almost the best

This alternative describes the feeling of being extremely good but not quite the top.

the next in line

This emphasizes being the immediate successor or the closest contender for the top position.

the immediate follower

This focuses on the position right after the leader or winner.

a hair's breadth away from first

This idiom dramatically illustrates the closeness to achieving the top spot.

virtually tied for first

This indicates an extremely close competition where the difference is negligible.

FAQs

How can I use "a closer second" in a sentence?

You can use "a closer second" to describe something that nearly achieved first place. For example, "In the race for best-selling novel, her book was "a closer second" to the top seller".

What are some alternatives to "a closer second"?

Alternatives include "a near second", "a tight second", or "runner-up" depending on the context.

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

Yes, "a closer second" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing rankings or comparisons in business, news, or academic contexts. However, always ensure the context warrants the phrase's connotation of near-equality.

What does "a closer second" imply about the competition or comparison?

Using "a closer second" implies that the entity in question was very nearly the best or first, suggesting a tight competition and only a small difference separating it from the top spot.