a very close game

USAGE SUMMARY

'a very close game' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase can be used to describe any situation, competition, or match when the outcome is uncertain or difficult to predict. For example: "The final basketball match was a very close game, but the home team ultimately emerged victorious."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

BBC

Independent

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

I think it was a very close game.

The Guardian - Sport

We played a very close game in Russia and I suppose it will be the same thing".

The Guardian - Sport

The head coach, Jarmo Matikainen, said: "It was a very close game that we might have won.

The Guardian - Sport

This should be a very close game: Peyton Manning's offense is historically good, but the Seahawks defense is better than anything I have ever seen.

The Guardian - Sport

Although heavily reliant on Richard, I didn't play all that badly and it was a very close game until they broke loose and went two up with two to play.

Independent

"The Raptors are a team we've struggled against the last few years, but this year was a very close game that we were able to win at the end.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

In that tournament they lost in the semifinals to Brazil in very close game decided by penalty kicks.

Huffington Post

They took the Patriots to the very, very end and lost a really close game.

Huffington Post

"We really pitched tremendously and we found a way to come through with three very close games, and that has led us into believing we can go out there and put this thing away and play some good baseball and get it going again".

The New York Times - Sports

"Spain, meanwhile, are always a dogged side and we have enjoyed some very close games against them in the European Cup and the Six Nations when they were in it.

BBC

They have been two very close games, two very tough games.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a sporting event or competition, use "a very close game" to convey the idea that the outcome was uncertain and the competition was tight. This phrase works well in summaries, reports, and casual conversations.

Common error

While "a very close game" is appropriate in many contexts, avoid using it repeatedly in the same piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "'tightly contested game'" or "'hard-fought game'" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very close game" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It modifies the noun "game" with the adjectives "close" and "very" to provide information about the nature of the game. It is used to describe sporting events and competitions, where the outcome is uncertain and competitive.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

BBC

15%

Independent

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Huffington Post

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a very close game" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a tightly contested competition, as validated by Ludwig AI. It's frequently used in news and media contexts, indicating a neutral formality level. When writing, remember that synonyms such as "hard-fought game" or "tightly contested game" can add variety to your descriptions and ensure clarity. While the phrase is valid across several authoritative sources, avoid excessive use to keep the writing engaging. The expert analysis suggests the phrase is accurate and reliable for general use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tightly contested game

Replaces 'very close' with 'tightly contested', emphasizing the intensity of the competition.

a keenly contested game

Similar to 'tightly contested' but with a slightly more formal tone.

a neck-and-neck game

Uses a more figurative expression to describe the game's closeness.

a hard-fought game

Focuses on the effort and determination involved in the game.

a nip-and-tuck game

Emphasizes the back-and-forth nature of the competition.

a nail-biting game

Emphasizes the suspense and excitement of the game.

a game decided by a hair's breadth

Highlights how small the margin of victory was.

a game that went down to the wire

Indicates the game's outcome was uncertain until the very end.

an evenly matched game

Highlights the balanced skill and performance of the competitors.

a game of narrow margins

Focuses on the small differences that determined the outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "a very close game" in a sentence?

You can use "a very close game" to describe any competitive event where the outcome is uncertain. For example, "The championship final was a very close game, with both teams displaying exceptional skill."

What are some alternatives to saying "a very close game"?

Alternatives include phrases like "tightly contested game", "hard-fought game", or "neck-and-neck game". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a very close game"?

Yes, "a very close game" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and it appears frequently in reputable sources.

What's the difference between "a very close game" and "a close game"?

The addition of "very" simply intensifies the degree of closeness. While "a close game" indicates that the competition was tight, "a very close game" emphasizes that the margin was exceptionally small or the outcome particularly uncertain.