are close behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are close behind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is following closely or is nearly at the same position as another. Example: "The runners are close behind the leader, making the race even more exciting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Movies are close behind".

The New York Times

Hispanics are close behind, at 28.6 percent, and blacks are at 22.8 percent.

The New York Times

England, champions in 2003, are close behind: only they and the Wallabies have featured in three finals.

Independent

Opponents of the new measure are close behind, with big donors including venture capitalists and technology members of the Packard family of the technology giant Hewlett-Packard.

The New York Times

But does our passion for free speech really outweigh our fears for the 17 percent of American children who are already clinically obese, and the many who are close behind?

The New York Times

Cardiff are close behind in fourth, Kenny Miller's header at Nottingham Forest securing a 1-0 whilewhile Reading's rise and rise continues apace after a 1-0 defeat of Ipswich lifted them to fifth.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Mr. Weiner was close behind, with $643,550.

The New York Times

The Samsung CLP-550 was close behind, though.

The New York Times - Tech

Swedes were close behind, at nearly $11 per person.

The Economist

William C. Thompson Jr., a former city comptroller, was close behind, with 18 percent.

The New York Times

Cambodia is close behind, with four million to six million mines.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are close behind" to effectively communicate that an entity is following or approaching another in a competitive or sequential context. For clarity, specify the entities involved: "Competitors are close behind the market leader".

Common error

Avoid using "are close behind" with a singular subject. Instead, use "is close behind" to maintain grammatical correctness: "The runner is close behind the leader."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are close behind" functions as a descriptive idiom, indicating proximity and often competition or pursuit. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and used to portray the nearness of one entity to another.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are close behind" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe something or someone following closely behind another. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid and usable. Its usage is frequent across various contexts, particularly in news and media, where it often describes competition or pursuit. The phrase maintains a neutral register and is considered very common. Related phrases include "are trailing closely" and "are gaining on". Remember to use the correct verb conjugation (is/are) based on the subject. Always provide more context around the entities involved to improve clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are right behind

Emphasizes immediacy and proximity in physical or metaphorical terms.

are on their heels

Suggests intense pressure and immediate pursuit.

are trailing closely

Focuses on the act of following without necessarily implying the nearness of position.

are catching up

Implies a previous distance that is now being diminished.

are gaining on

Highlights the action of reducing the distance or gap between two entities.

are in hot pursuit

Conveys a more urgent and active chase.

are nipping at their heels

Implies a less aggressive but still persistent pursuit.

are within striking distance

Indicates that the pursuing entity is close enough to overtake or achieve a goal.

are breathing down their neck

Highlights the feeling of being under pressure due to someone's close proximity.

are hot on the trail

Implies a determined search and proximity to the target.

FAQs

How can I use "are close behind" in a sentence?

Use "are close behind" to indicate that someone or something is following or approaching closely. For example: "Other companies "are close behind" in developing similar technology".

What does "are close behind" mean?

"Are close behind" means that someone or something is following closely or nearly at the same position as another, often in a competitive context.

What can I say instead of "are close behind"?

You can use alternatives like "are trailing closely", "are gaining on", or "are catching up" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is close behind" instead of "are close behind"?

Yes, "is close behind" is correct when referring to a singular subject, while "are close behind" is used for plural subjects. For example: "He is close behind" versus "They "are close behind"".