as close as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as close as" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is almost the same as something else. For example, "We wanted it to be as close as possible to the original."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As close as possible to the switch".

The Economist

Get 'em as close as you can".

The New Yorker

They remained as close as ever.

The New York Times - Sports

It is as close as that".

Independent

Or as close as he would get.

The New York Times - Sports

That's as close as I came.

The New York Times

That's as close as she gets.

The Guardian - Sport

Not as close as I would like.

The Guardian

It was as close as Scunthorpe went.

The Guardian - Sport

Snuggles as close as possible to you.

The Guardian - Opinion

As close as anyone could figure.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as close as", ensure the comparison is clear and that the two elements being compared are explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity. For example, 'The copy was as close as possible to the original design.'

Common error

Avoid using "as close as" without specifying what is being compared. For instance, saying 'It's as close as it gets' is less effective than 'This replica is as close as possible to the original artifact' because the latter provides context and avoids ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as close as" functions primarily as a comparative, indicating a degree of similarity or proximity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is both correct and widely usable. The examples show it used to compare physical distance, emotional connection, or accuracy of imitation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Sports

12%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as close as" is a versatile comparative used to indicate similarity or proximity, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various contexts—from News & Media to Academia—make it a valuable tool for precise communication. When using "as close as", ensure clarity by explicitly stating the compared elements, and remember that alternatives like "nearly as" or "almost as" can add subtle nuances. With a neutral register and very common usage, mastering "as close as" is key to effective writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost as

Emphasizes a slight difference from being completely the same.

nearly as

Focuses on nearness in terms of quantity or degree.

just about as

Adds a colloquial tone, indicating something is very nearly the same.

much the same as

Implies a high degree of similarity without being identical.

practically as

Highlights that something is functionally equivalent.

comparable to

Stresses the ability to compare two things due to shared characteristics.

virtually as

Similar to 'practically as' but can also imply an imitation.

akin to

Highlights a similarity or resemblance.

in effect as

Implies that the result or impact is similar.

tantamount to

Indicates that something is equal or equivalent to something else, often in terms of consequences.

FAQs

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

Use "as close as" to indicate similarity or proximity. For example, "The imitation is "almost as" good as the real thing", or "Get "nearly as" close as you can without touching it."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "as close as"?

Alternatives include "nearly as", "almost as", and "practically as", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "as closer as" instead of "as close as"?

No, "as closer as" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "as close as", which uses the base adjective form.

What's the difference between "as close as" and "as near as"?

"As close as" generally refers to a greater degree of proximity or similarity than "as near as". "As close as" suggests something is very similar or right next to something, while "as near as" simply indicates nearness.