as close as two

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as close as two" is not a standard expression in English and may be incomplete or unclear without additional context.
It could potentially be used in a context where you are comparing closeness or proximity, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "They were as close as two friends could be, sharing secrets and dreams."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

They were as close as two heterosexual, upper-class, mid-century Englishmen could be".

The New Yorker

I think they were as close as two men could ever be".

The Guardian - Film

"We've seen close races, as close as two votes, but I've never seen a tied race.

The Guardian

It put them as close as two miles from the blasts.

The New York Times - Science

The sisters had been "as close as two people could be," she said.

The New York Times

And investigators had to be as close as two inches from the defibrillator.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Two assays had forward primers located as close as four nucleotides to the junctional region.

Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology

Even as close as three weeks ago she didn't expect to win in Beijing.

The Guardian - Sport

Loading coils in telephone lines may be spaced as close as one mile.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That is as close as one gets to a free lunch.

The New York Times

KEITH and SCOTT COLEMAN Three Brothers They were as close as three brothers could be, born in 1966 , 1967and 1970.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use more precise language when describing exact distances or quantities; "as close as two" can be vague.

Common error

Avoid using "as close as two" when a more direct measurement or description is appropriate. For example, instead of saying "the planets are as close as two miles apart", specify the actual distance for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as close as two" functions primarily as a qualifier, indicating a degree of proximity or nearness related to the number two. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in describing both physical distances and relationships. Ludwig AI, however, notes it is not a standard expression and may benefit from additional context for clarity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as close as two" is a qualifier used to express nearness, approximation, or proximity to a quantity of two, as demonstrated by the numerous examples found by Ludwig. While Ludwig AI suggests it's not a standard expression and would need additional context to sound clear, its prevalence, particularly in news and science contexts, marks it an acceptable expression. When using "as close as two", it's important to provide context to clarify what's being measured and the nature of the closeness. For situations demanding precision, consider using more descriptive or quantifiable alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly two

Focuses on numerical approximation of nearness.

almost two

Emphasizes approaching a quantity of two.

in close proximity to two

Highlights spatial nearness, more formal.

just under two

Indicates a value slightly less than two.

within two units

Specifies distance with a unit of measure.

in the vicinity of two

Suggests a surrounding area or neighborhood.

approaching the number two

Focuses on the act of getting closer to a numerical value.

not far from two

Indicates that the quantity of nearness is reduced.

two in number, give or take a little

Implies an inexact count around the value of two.

approximately two

Suggests an estimate of the quantity, less precise.

FAQs

What does "as close as two" mean in a sentence?

The phrase "as close as two" typically indicates a degree of proximity or nearness, whether physical, emotional, or numerical, approaching a value of two. However, without context, its precise meaning can be unclear.

How can I use "as close as two" correctly?

To use "as close as two" effectively, provide context to specify what is close to what. For example, "The cities are "as close as two" miles apart", or "They were "as close as two" siblings can be".

What are some alternatives to "as close as two"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "nearly two", "almost two", or "in close proximity to two". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey. Check out "nearly two", "almost two" or "in close proximity to two".

Is "as close as two" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "as close as two" may sound incomplete or awkward. It's generally acceptable, but providing more context or using a more specific phrase will improve clarity.