at a close object

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a close object" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely intended to describe proximity to an object, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The camera focuses well at a close object, capturing fine details."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Do this by looking at a close object, like a pen or pencil and then a distant object in the room.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Speak at a close distance.

WikiHow

The writers of the Dana Foundation's "Elephants That Paint" study are quick to point out that "the dog's eyes see well at a distance but cannot focus on close objects.

Huffington Post

Open your eyes and stare at an object, or close your eyes and think of a peaceful, calm scene.

WikiHow

You can move around, put your phone closer and the 3D object reacts just like you're looking at a real object.

TechCrunch

Another example is presbyopia, a progressive hardening of lens that prevents focusing at close small objects [ 137, 138].

Aging

Don't fire at close range objects too much.

WikiHow

The spacecraft will take a close look at the crater-covered Callisto, the most battered object in the solar system, and fly by the icy moon Europa twice.

Huffington Post

CLOSE UP or TIGHT ON: This indicates a close up to a person or object on screen.

WikiHow

Blippar, the AR company that lets you see extra, rich content by simply pointing your phone at an object, has today announced the close of a $54 million Series D funding round.

TechCrunch

Safety signals "can be inanimate objects (e.g., a certain room in the home), behaviors (e.g., sitting at a desk close to an exit), or other people (e.g., a parent)" (Trosper et al., 2009, p. 238).

Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "at a close object" in formal writing. Opt for more common and grammatically sound alternatives such as "close to an object" or "nearby object" to ensure clarity.

Common error

The preposition "at" is not typically used to describe the spatial relationship between an observer and a physical object in close proximity. Using "at a close object" can sound unnatural; instead, consider using "close to" or simply "near" for better clarity and grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a close object" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, attempting to describe the location or position relative to an object. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the phrasing is not standard in written English, making it grammatically questionable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at a close object" is an uncommon and grammatically awkward construction. Ludwig AI suggests that it's not correct in standard written English and advises using alternatives. While its intended meaning is to indicate proximity to an object, phrases like "close to an object" or "nearby object" are preferable. Its usage is rare, as shown by the limited examples. It appears in a mix of Wiki, News & Media, and Science contexts. Given its low grammatical correctness and availability of better alternatives, it's best to avoid "at a close object" in favor of more standard English phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close to an object

Rephrases to use "close to" instead of "at a close", making it more idiomatic.

near a close object

Replaces the preposition "at" with "near" offering a slight improvement in naturalness.

object at close range

Uses the common expression "close range" to describe the proximity.

object close by

Uses a simple adverbial phrase to mean near.

nearby object

Simplifies the phrase to a single adjective-noun construction.

object up close

Indicates that the object is being viewed or considered from a short distance.

object within close range

Adds "within" to further specify the range.

object in close proximity

Employs a more formal way to indicate nearness.

an object that is near

Rephrases to emphasize the object's proximity using a relative clause.

object at a short distance

Specifies the distance more explicitly.

FAQs

What's a better way to say "at a close object"?

You can use more common and grammatically correct alternatives such as "close to an object", "near an object", or "a nearby object" depending on the context.

Is "at a close object" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "at a close object" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "close to an object" or "near an object".

How can I use the idea of "at a close object" in a sentence correctly?

Instead of "at a close object", try rephrasing your sentence to use "close to" or "near". For example, "The camera focuses best close to the object".

What does "at a close object" imply?

The phrase implies that something is in proximity to a specific object. However, due to its awkward phrasing, it's better to use clearer alternatives such as "in close proximity" or "nearby" to avoid confusion.