a little close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little close" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is near in distance or time, or to indicate a situation that is somewhat intimate or personal. Example: "The car was parked a little close to the edge of the cliff, making me nervous."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

That's a little close to home!

The New Yorker

They went up and lay for a little close to the dreadful summit.

The Guardian

This featherlight comedy skates a little close to the edge at times.

The Guardian - Film

"I was a little close to him in the crease," McKay said.

The New York Times - Sports

We looked around, got a little close and then we walked away".

The New York Times - Travel

Isn't that a little close to the myth that women have rape fantasies?

The Guardian - Film

But he cut it a little close there," Brodeur said with a laugh.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Look a little closer.

Independent

Closer, a little closer.

The New Yorker

"A little closer," he said.

The New Yorker

Move in a little closer.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase to describe a sensitive topic, consider your audience and the potential for misinterpretation; adjust your wording for clarity and sensitivity.

Common error

Avoid using "a little close" without specifying what is being approached. For instance, saying "That's a little close" without context can leave the listener confused about what boundary is being neared.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little close" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or adjectives to indicate the degree or extent of closeness. Ludwig shows that this phrase is widely employed to express proximity, similarity, or a near miss in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a little close" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to express varying degrees of nearness, proximity, or narrow margins. As validated by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and very common across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. The phrase serves to qualify the extent of closeness, whether physical, emotional, or metaphorical, and is generally considered neutral in register. To ensure clarity, it's important to provide context when using the phrase, specifying what is being approached or neared. Overall, understanding the nuances of "a little close" enhances effective communication and precision in both writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat near

Replaces "a little" with "somewhat", focusing on a degree of proximity.

in close proximity

Uses a more formal expression to denote nearness.

just a hair's breadth away

Emphasizes a minimal distance or margin.

reasonably adjacent

Highlights adjacency while suggesting a moderate level of nearness.

slightly proximate

Uses more formal vocabulary to convey a similar meaning of being near.

almost touching

Focuses on the near-contact aspect of closeness.

a tad nearby

Employs informal language to indicate a small degree of closeness.

on the verge

Indicates a situation that is nearing a critical point, similar to being close to a boundary.

within spitting distance

Employs an informal idiom to describe being very near.

walking a tightrope

Suggests a situation with little margin for error, akin to being close to a dangerous edge.

FAQs

How can I use "a little close" in a sentence?

You can use "a little close" to describe physical proximity (e.g., "The table is a little close to the wall"), emotional proximity (e.g., "The movie's theme hit "a little close to home""), or a narrow margin (e.g., "He cut it "a little close there"").

What are some alternatives to the phrase "a little close"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "somewhat near", "slightly proximate", or "in close proximity". The best choice will depend on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is "a little close" grammatically correct?

Yes, "a little close" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. According to Ludwig AI, it follows standard grammar rules and is considered acceptable.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "a little close"?

It's appropriate to use "a little close" in various situations, from describing physical nearness to indicating that something is emotionally sensitive or uncomfortably relevant. Consider your audience and the context to ensure it conveys the intended meaning.