at a close second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a close second" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is very close in ranking or position to something else, often in a competitive context. Example: "In the race for best-selling novel, the sequel came in at a close second to the original."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Coming in at a close second for Mr. Obama is his wife, Michelle.

The New York Times

Mississippi, another state not commonly associated with the New Yorker crowd, comes in at a close second, with 8.14 wins per ten thousand submissions.

The New Yorker

While it's impossible to give anyone other than Victor top billing this week, coming in at a close second was the long and deeply moving goodbye between Camille and the rest of the Ségurets.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

FriendFeed comes in at a close second with 3.55 tweets per user, followed by TweetDeck.

TechCrunch

It still hasn't replaced the 405 on my wrist but it comes in at a close second.

TechCrunch

Email comes in at a close second place with over 79.57% of iPhone moms surveyed using their phone for checking messages.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Among the six FGENESH models, the closest overall agreement with our homology-based inferences of start and stop codon positions was provided by the Mt model, with the At model a close second best (Table 2).

BMC Plant Biology

Mahajan generally tails his characters at a close third person, but at moments of great drama he slips directly into their consciousness, as he does here with Vikas: How am I supposed to respond to this thing that has happened to me?

The New Yorker

Hoby was learning the game of politics, if not at first-hand, well, then at a close second-hand.

Huffington Post

Proved dangerous to underestimate when scoring at 66-1 here in January 2014, with At Fishers Cross a close second.

The Guardian - Sport

Ruth Bader Ginsburg boasts the highest potential net worth at $18.1 million with Stephen Breyer a close second at $17.1 million.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to ensure the phrase accurately portrays the relationship between the entities being compared. It's not just about being second, but about being nearly first.

Common error

Avoid using "at a close second" when there isn't a clear competition or ranking involved. For example, saying "My second favorite color is blue, coming in at a close second" is inappropriate if you're not explicitly comparing it to your absolute favorite in a ranked list.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a close second" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which something achieves second place. According to Ludwig, it suggests a narrow margin of difference. The phrase highlights proximity in ranking or achievement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at a close second" is a prepositional phrase used to describe something that is narrowly defeated or ranked second. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register. According to Ludwig, it implies that the difference between first and second place is minimal. When using the phrase, ensure there's a clear ranking or competitive environment. If you need alternatives, consider options like "a near second place" or "a narrow second".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a near second place

Emphasizes proximity in ranking rather than the action of 'coming in'.

a narrow second

Highlights the small margin separating the first and second positions.

a close runner-up

Focuses on the competitive aspect and the act of almost winning.

second in close succession

Indicates that the second position followed immediately after the first.

almost in first place

Highlights how near the item or person was to achieving the top spot.

a hair's breadth from first

Emphasizes the minimal difference between first and second place.

closely following the leader

Focuses on the act of trailing just behind the one in the lead.

next closest

Simply describes the item or person that is nearest in comparison.

a close second best

Highlights the fact that the alternative is very good, despite not being the top choice.

a strong second

Underscores the quality and performance of the entity in second place.

FAQs

How can I use "at a close second" in a sentence?

You can use "at a close second" to indicate that something is very near in ranking or position to something else, usually the first. For example, "In the voting, candidate B came in "at a close second" to candidate A".

What does "at a close second" mean?

"At a close second" means being in second place but very near or close to the first-place position. It implies a narrow margin between the two.

What are some alternatives to "at a close second"?

Alternatives include "a near second place", "a narrow second", or "a close runner-up". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "at a close second" when something is in second place?

No, it's not. "At a close second" should only be used when the difference between first and second place is small or significant. If the gap is large, a phrase like "in second place" is more accurate.