anything close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anything close" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that is similar or nearly equivalent to a specified idea or object. Example: "I don't have the exact model, but I can offer you anything close to it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He would take anything close.

The New Yorker

"Never saw anything close to it".

The New York Times - Sports

"It wasn't anything close," she said.

The New York Times

He added, "I've never done anything close to this scale".

The New York Times

China hasn't experienced anything close to this yet.

The New Yorker

If there's anything close to a secret, it's silver buckshot.

The New York Times - Magazine

There still isn't anything close to a final decision.

The New York Times

He cannot buy anything close by any more.

The New York Times

Zero, or anything close to it, may well be wrong.

The New York Times

Beethoven never espoused anything close to a coherent political ideology.

The New York Times

The Obama administration has not offered anything close.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "anything close" when you want to indicate that a precise match isn't necessary, and a near equivalent will suffice.

Common error

Avoid using "anything close" when precision is crucial. If the context demands exactness, a more specific term is needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "anything close" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun that is understood or implied. It indicates that something similar or nearly equivalent is acceptable or under consideration. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "anything close" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate that an approximation or near equivalent is acceptable. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently in news, media, and various other contexts. While precision might be preferable in certain situations, "anything close" offers a practical way to express flexibility and broaden the scope of possibilities. When looking for alternatives, phrases like "something similar" or "something comparable" may be considered, depending on the context and the desired degree of approximation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something similar

Emphasizes likeness rather than strict proximity.

something comparable

Focuses on the degree to which two things can be compared.

something approximate

Highlights the inexact nature of the comparison.

something equivalent

Stresses the functional equality of the alternatives.

something analogous

Implies a resemblance in some particular aspects.

something nearby

Focuses on physical or conceptual nearness.

something approaching

Suggests the subject is getting closer to a certain state or value.

something akin to

Highlights a similarity in nature or qualities.

something mirroring

Suggests a reflection or close duplication of characteristics.

something resembling

Indicates a similarity in appearance or form.

FAQs

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

You can use "anything close" to indicate that an approximation or near equivalent is acceptable. For instance, "I don't have the exact amount, but "anything close" will do".

What phrases can I use instead of "anything close"?

Alternatives include "something similar", "something comparable", or "something approximate", depending on the desired nuance.

Is it correct to say "something close" instead of "anything close"?

While "something close" might be understood, "anything close" is more common and generally preferred when you're indicating that any near equivalent is acceptable.

What's the difference between "anything close" and "something identical"?

"Anything close" implies an approximation is sufficient, while "something identical" demands an exact match. The terms are used in entirely opposite contexts.