be close to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be close to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a location or situation being near something else. For example, "All of the stores in this shopping mall are close to one another."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hungary appears to be close to Sweden.

The Economist

That may be close to the truth.

The Economist

I like to be close to people.

The New York Times

Growth this year could be close to 8%.

The Economist

They should be close to $20 billion worldwide.

The Economist

This should be close to 6% ideally.

Harvard University

It has to be close to millions.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"I'd like to be close to balanced.

The New York Times - Sports

I love to be close to audiences.

The Guardian

/ It must be close to dawn".

The Guardian - Books

"They'd like to be close to family".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be close to" to indicate not only physical proximity but also emotional or conceptual nearness. For example, "They wanted to be close to family" indicates an emotional bond and preference for physical proximity.

Common error

Avoid using "be close to" when you need to express an exact quantity or measurement. Instead of saying "The cost will be close to $100", use "approximately $100" or "around $100" if precision is not required, or provide the exact figure if it is.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be close to" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase indicating proximity, either physical or emotional. It is commonly used to describe relationships, locations, or approximations, as evidenced by examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

24%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be close to" is a versatile phrase primarily functioning as a prepositional phrase to denote proximity, whether physical, emotional, or approximate. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. Its usage is most prevalent in news and media, followed by scientific and academic contexts. While generally neutral, more formal situations might benefit from more precise language. When using "be close to", consider whether you intend to convey physical nearness, emotional connection, or an approximation, and choose alternatives accordingly to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be near

Focuses on physical proximity but might lack the nuance of emotional connection.

be in proximity to

Emphasizes physical closeness and is more formal.

be adjacent to

Stresses the idea of being right next to something.

be closely linked to

Focuses on a strong association or relationship.

be intimately connected with

Highlights a deep and personal connection.

be within reach of

Implies accessibility or possibility rather than just physical closeness.

be on the verge of

Implies that something is about to happen or be achieved.

be a stone's throw from

An idiomatic way of saying something is very close by.

be just around the corner from

Indicates a short distance away, often used for locations.

be hard by

An archaic term meaning close by or nearby.

FAQs

How can I use "be close to" in a sentence?

You can use "be close to" to describe physical proximity, emotional connection, or an approximate value. For example, "The library is close to the park", "They are close to their siblings", or "The estimate should be close to accurate".

What can I say instead of "be close to"?

You can use alternatives like "be near", "be adjacent to", or "be in proximity to" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "be close to" versus "be near"?

"Be close to" often implies a stronger emotional or relational connection, while "be near" primarily refers to physical proximity. For instance, you might say "They are close to each other emotionally" but "The store is near the house".

Is "be close to" formal or informal?

"Be close to" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, consider using more precise language depending on what you are trying to say, for example using phrases like "be in proximity to".