a very close match

USAGE SUMMARY

"a very close match" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation where two things or people are very similar. For example, "The two teams put on a very close match in the final game, with the score being 2-2 at the end."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

The results of modelling and measurements were compared and show a very close match.

Sensors and Actuators A: Physical

"Because of the time limits, I don't think it will be a very close match.

The Guardian - Tech

Politics seems like the closest thing to a substitute, and it's not a very close match.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I don't think it will be a very close match," he said.

The Guardian - Tech

"I don't think it will be a very close match," he told the assembled crowd with a sheepish grin.

The Guardian - Tech

Especially for event 19, we observed a very close match between WRF-CHEM and satellite data, where PUFF showed an offset of the predicted plume.

Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

The development of this type of a regression equation is dependent on a very close matching of the internal clocks between the AM brands.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

REETZ: If your home is modern, you can often find an exact or very close match at a lumberyard.

The New York Times - Magazine

First, the effectiveness of vaccines both with and without adjuvant against influenza A(H1N1 pmd09-related H1N1 pmd09-relatedd despillness very close match betwasn the circulimitedvirus andespiteaccine sthein.

Science Magazine

They became the first rugby nation in the professional era to achieve a 100% winning record in a calendar year culminating in the final and very close match between the Irish in November 2013 which New Zealand narrowly won 24 22 Their all-time points difference for Testsand international level matchesstands at 13,921 to 6,793 (22 November 2014).

Wikipedia

However, this weighting was minimal given the very close match between the proportions of institutions surveyed and those in the population for each income group.

Health Research Policy and Systems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a very close match", ensure that the context clearly defines what is being compared and the aspect in which they are similar. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a very close match" when the similarity is only superficial or partial. Overstating the resemblance can mislead the reader and weaken your argument. Use a more moderate phrase like "a reasonable match" or "somewhat similar" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very close match" functions as a descriptive phrase, where "very close" modifies the noun "match". As Ludwig AI states, it indicates a significant degree of similarity or correspondence between two or more entities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

42%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a very close match" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a high degree of similarity between two entities. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It finds frequent application across scientific and news media contexts, signaling its neutrality and versatility. While alternatives like "a near-perfect fit" or "striking resemblance" exist, "a very close match" strikes a balance between formality and accessibility, making it a practical choice for conveying strong similarities. It's important to consider the specific context to ensure the degree of similarity aligns with the chosen phrase, avoiding overstatement or ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a near-perfect fit

Emphasizes accuracy and precision in the similarity, going beyond 'close'.

a striking resemblance

Highlights the noticeable and impressive nature of the similarity.

a strong correlation

Implies a statistical or quantifiable relationship between two things.

highly analogous

Uses a more formal term to indicate a significant level of similarity.

remarkably similar

Emphasizes the unexpected or noteworthy aspect of the resemblance.

virtually identical

Suggests an extremely high degree of similarity, approaching indistinguishability.

closely aligned

Focuses on the alignment or agreement between two or more things.

almost indistinguishable

Highlights the difficulty in telling the difference between the items being compared.

substantially equivalent

Suggests that the items are functionally the same, despite any minor differences.

a good approximation

Indicates that something is similar enough to be used as a substitute or representation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a very close match" to describe a strong similarity between two things. For example: "The model's prediction was "a very close match" to the actual results".

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

Alternatives include "a near-perfect fit", "a striking resemblance", or "highly analogous" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a very close matching"?

While grammatically understandable, "a very close matching" is less common and can sound awkward. Stick to the more standard phrase ""a very close match"".

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

"A very close match" indicates a higher degree of similarity than simply "a close match". The addition of "very" emphasizes the strength of the resemblance.