are close to

USAGE SUMMARY

'are close to' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express a relationship between two people or things, or to describe a proximity in a physical sense. Example: The two cities are close to each other, only about 30 miles apart.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are close to insolvent.

The New York Times

After that, costs are close to flat.

The New York Times

Nominal yields are close to historic lows.

The Economist

Their conditions are close to intolerable.

The Economist

Some are close to the prime minister.

The Economist

The spectators are close to the field.

The New York Times - Sports

"We are close to winning this fight".

The New York Times

"We are close to agreement," he said.

The New York Times

There are close to 200 Guantánamo inmates.

The New York Times

(Both senators are close to Obama, too).

The New Yorker

Often, they are close to cemeteries.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using “are close to”, ensure that the context clearly defines what is being approached or neared, and that the phrasing maintains a natural flow within the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using “are close to” when a precise figure is available. Saying "They are close to 100 employees" when they have exactly 100 diminishes the impact of the accurate number.

Linguistic Context

The phrase “are close to” functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, indicating proximity in either a physical or metaphorical sense. It modifies a noun or pronoun, describing its location or state relative to something else. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatile application.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

20%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, “are close to” is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate nearness, approximation, or imminence. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, including news, science, academia, and business. It is important to consider the register and context when using this phrase to ensure that it accurately conveys the intended meaning. The examples provided by Ludwig show that this phrase is effective in indicating proximity and approximation in both literal and figurative senses. Be mindful of using precise figures if those are available, instead of approximate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are nearing

This alternative suggests an ongoing process of approaching a specific point or state.

are approaching

Similar to "are nearing", but can also imply a more formal or deliberate movement towards something.

are in proximity to

This phrase uses more formal language to indicate physical closeness or nearness.

are almost at

Implies that a goal or destination is nearly achieved.

are on the verge of

Indicates being at the point immediately before something happens or begins.

are on the brink of

Similar to "are on the verge of", emphasizing the imminence of an event.

are verging on

This suggests being on the brink of a certain state or condition, often negative.

are bordering on

Similar to "are verging on", indicating a state that is almost reached.

are within reach of

Suggests that something can be easily obtained or achieved.

are in the neighborhood of

This phrase denotes a value or quantity that is approximate or close to a specified amount.

FAQs

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

You can use "are close to" to indicate proximity, such as "The shops "are close to" the hotel", or to suggest an approximation, like "The project "is close to completion"".

What's the difference between "are close to" and "are near"?

"Are near" generally indicates a shorter distance than ""are close to"". "Are close to" can also be used metaphorically to indicate an approximation or impending state, which "are near" typically does not.

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "are nearing", "are approaching", or "are almost at" to express similar meanings.

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

The correct usage depends on the subject's number. Use "is close to" with singular subjects (e.g., "The station is close to the park") and ""are close to"" with plural subjects (e.g., "The stations "are close to" the park").