awfully close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "awfully close" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very near or close to a certain point or limit, often with a sense of caution or concern. Example: "The car came awfully close to hitting the pedestrian, causing everyone to gasp in shock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sports

Humor

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But he comes awfully close.

The New York Times - Books

HUSBAND: You're sitting awfully close, Mrs. Anderson.

The New Yorker

"It was an awfully close call".

The New York Times - Magazine

But we are getting awfully close.

The New Yorker

Yet many feel he comes awfully close.

The New York Times

But by cracky it comes awfully close.

The Guardian - Opinion

But sometimes it smells awfully close.

The New York Times

Money can't buy dreams — but it can get awfully close.

The New York Times

That's awfully close to the truth of what happened".

The New York Times

But I came awfully close to this being a D.N.F.

The New York Times

"It's still awfully close to zero," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "awfully close" to express that something nearly happened or that someone almost reached a certain state, usually with a hint of surprise or concern. For example: "The company came awfully close to bankruptcy before the bailout."

Common error

While "awfully close" is widely understood, overusing 'awfully' in formal writing can make your tone seem less serious. In such cases, consider more neutral alternatives like "very close" or "remarkably close".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awfully close" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier of an adjective or verb. It emphasizes the degree to which something is near or approaching a certain condition. As per Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Sports

3%

Humor

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "awfully close" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is very near or almost reaching a certain state. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's widely used in news and media, with occasional appearances in academic and scientific contexts. While generally acceptable, its informality should be considered in formal writing, where alternatives like "very near" or "remarkably close" may be more appropriate. The phrase's purpose is to indicate proximity or nearness, often with a hint of caution or concern.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very near

This alternative emphasizes the physical or metaphorical closeness to a point or goal.

dangerously near

This phrase highlights the potential negative consequences of being close to a limit or boundary.

remarkably close

This alternative emphasizes the unexpected or surprising nature of the proximity.

just about to

This suggests an imminent action or event, highlighting the anticipation of something happening soon.

on the verge of

This indicates being at the edge of a significant change or event.

nearing

This word specifically suggests approaching something, either physically or metaphorically.

approaching

This is similar to 'nearing' but can also refer to a deadline or abstract goal.

almost reaching

This implies that something has come very close to achieving a specific level or target.

close to achieving

Similar to 'almost reaching', this shows that a target is nearly accomplished.

within striking distance

This idiom suggests being close enough to achieve a goal with a final effort.

FAQs

What does "awfully close" mean?

"Awfully close" means very near or almost reaching a certain point or state. It often implies a narrow margin or a near miss.

What can I say instead of "awfully close"?

You can use alternatives like "very near", "dangerously near", or "remarkably close" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "awfully close" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, using "awfully close" in formal writing may come across as slightly informal. Consider more neutral alternatives like "very near" for a more professional tone.

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

You can use "awfully close" to describe situations where something nearly happened or a goal was almost achieved. For example: "The election was awfully close, with only a few votes separating the candidates."