a lot of close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lot of close" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be an attempt to express a significant amount of closeness or intimacy, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "There are a lot of close friends in my life who support me."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"We've lost a lot of close games.

The New York Times - Sports

We played a lot of close games.

The New York Times - Sports

I know he's had a lot of close calls.

The New York Times - Sports

He'll get a lot of close, caring attention".

The New York Times - Sports

"We were in a lot of close games.

The New York Times - Sports

There will be a lot of close controls — do's and don'ts and rules of engagement".

The New Yorker

There were a lot of close games this year we weren't able to do that".

The New York Times

"A lot of close games we lost," he said, looking back on the 2010 season.

The New York Times - Sports

The frustrating part of it is that we've lost a lot of close games.

The New York Times - Sports

There were a lot of close rounds, the third, seventh and 11th most obvious among them.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"There were a lot of close-ups in taxi cabs," recalled Hume.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to personal relationships, use "many "close friends"" or "a lot of "intimate relationships"" for clearer communication.

Common error

Don't use the phrase "a lot of close" without clarifying the intended meaning. It's often better to specify whether you mean "close calls", "close friends", or something else entirely to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lot of close" functions primarily as a modifier, often intended to describe the quantity or extent of something that is "close". However, according to Ludwig AI, this phrase is not grammatically correct and requires further context to be properly understood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a lot of close" appears frequently in diverse contexts, including news and media, it's considered grammatically incorrect without further specification. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase lacks clarity and requires context to be well understood. To enhance clarity, it's recommended to use more specific phrases like "many "close friends"", "a lot of "close calls"", or "a great deal of proximity". These alternatives enhance clarity and grammatical correctness, making your writing more precise and effective. While widely used, it should be replaced with more accurate formulations in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

many intimate

This alternative emphasizes the personal and familiar nature of the relationship or situation, focusing on emotional proximity.

a great deal of proximity

Highlights the physical closeness or nearness involved.

numerous nearby

Focuses on the spatial proximity of multiple items or locations.

several shut

This is a more concise expression indicating that multiple things are closed.

abundant shut

Refers to a large quantity of closed or sealed items or locations.

many finished

A more direct way of saying numerous things have been completed.

substantial finished

Indicates that a significant amount has been completed or finalized.

several finished

Indicates that a number of tasks or items have been completed.

numerous complete

Emphasizes the number of finished or comprehensive items.

various impending

Suggests a number of things that are about to happen or occur in the near future.

FAQs

How can I use "a lot of close" in a sentence correctly?

While "a lot of close" by itself may not be grammatically correct, you can clarify the meaning by adding a noun to the phrase. For example, "a lot of "close friends"" or "a lot of "close calls"" are acceptable.

What can I say instead of "a lot of close"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "many close [friends/relatives]", "numerous near [misses/encounters]", or "a great deal of proximity".

Which is correct, "a lot of close friends" or "many close friends"?

"Many "close friends"" is generally preferred over "a lot of close friends" for grammatical correctness and clarity.

What's the difference between "a lot of close games" and "many close games"?

While both phrases are understandable, "many "close games"" is considered more grammatically sound. "A lot of" is often used informally, whereas "many" is more versatile across registers.