already close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "already close" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is near completion or that two parties are nearing an agreement or understanding. Example: "We are already close to finalizing the deal, just a few more details to discuss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was already close.

The New Yorker

Their renewable shares are already close to 20%.

University of California, Berkeley

The brothers Schleck were already close back then.

The New York Times - Sports

Many cities already close bars on Election Day.

The New York Times

We are already close to America and to Israel.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Bank of Greece said in a statement that the negotiations are already close.

Independent

She then stated that she prefers to date people with whom she's already close friends.

The New Yorker

Although the autumn migration was barely under way, the freezer was already close to full.

The New York Times

Two new products are already close to being introduced to the market.

Independent

This period reinforced the already close ties between the military and the national government.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In a global strategic sense, they are already close to being reduced to a nuisance.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "already close" to emphasize that significant progress has been made, but the final step is still required. For example: "The project is already close to completion, but we need to finalize the budget."

Common error

Avoid using "already close" when you simply mean "very close" in terms of physical distance. "Already close" implies a process or progression towards a goal, not just spatial proximity. For example, instead of "The store is already close", consider "The store is very close" if you are only talking about distance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "already close" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the degree to which something is approaching a certain state or condition. Ludwig AI shows that it often qualifies verbs related to progress, achievement, or relationships, highlighting how near something is to completion or a desired outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "already close" is a versatile and frequently used expression, particularly in News & Media and Science, to emphasize proximity to a goal, state, or relationship. According to Ludwig AI, it's considered grammatically correct, and offers several alternatives such as "nearly there" and "almost there". It's crucial to use the phrase accurately, ensuring it reflects a genuine progression rather than mere physical proximity. Whether you're describing project milestones or personal connections, "already close" is a powerful way to convey progress and anticipation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly there

Indicates the achievement of a goal is imminent.

almost there

Emphasizes that the destination or objective is very near.

on the verge of

Highlights the imminence of a specific event or outcome.

on the brink of

Implies that something significant or drastic is about to happen.

approaching quickly

Focuses on the rapid pace at which something is nearing.

drawing near

Suggests a gradual but certain approach.

within reach

Highlights that something is easily attainable.

in close proximity

Focuses on spatial closeness.

nearing completion

Specifically refers to the final stages of a task or project.

at the threshold

Signifies being at the point of entering a new state or phase.

FAQs

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

Use "already close" to indicate that something is near completion or that two entities are nearing a certain state. For example, "We are "already close" to reaching our fundraising goal."

What's the difference between "already close" and "almost there"?

"Already close" emphasizes the progress made up to this point, while "almost there" focuses more on the imminence of reaching the final destination or goal. They are often interchangeable, but the subtle difference in emphasis can be useful depending on context.

When is it better to use "nearly complete" instead of "already close"?

Use "nearly complete" when specifically referring to the status of a project or task that is in its final stages. "Already close" is more versatile and can apply to relationships, physical proximity, or abstract goals.

Can "already close" be used to describe emotional relationships?

Yes, "already close" can describe the strength of a relationship. For example, "They were "already close" friends before they started working together, which made the transition much easier."