becomes close to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "becomes close to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something approaches a certain state or condition. Example: "As the deadline approaches, the project becomes close to completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"What the public wants" becomes close to meaningless.

The New Yorker

Your story in this week's issue, "Camilo," is about a boy who becomes close to his father's older godson.

The New Yorker

As a result, he becomes close to the whole family, helps them through difficult times and writes "Peter Pan".

The New York Times

Devlin becomes close to this family while writing a story of their irregular lives, but his involvement has tragic consequences.

The Guardian - Film

Travelling in Sri Lanka in 2004, Carrère becomes close to a couple whose daughter dies in the tsunami.

The New Yorker

Along the way, though, Mr. Price makes some interesting friends, becomes close to Mr. Spender and W. H. Auden and travels ecstatically across the continent.

The New York Times - Books

By Deborah Treisman May 19 , 2014Your story in this week's issue, "Camilo," is about a boy who becomes close to his father's older godson.

The New Yorker

From this she creates the story of Griet, a servant girl who, through her interest in art, becomes close to her employer, Johannes Vermeer.

The Guardian - Books

Your Name's predecessor, The Garden Of Words, focused on a 15-year-old aspiring shoemaker who becomes close to a depressed woman he meets in the park.

The Guardian - Film

Joe, the foreman of a team of forest workers, becomes close to Gary (Tye Sheridan), a boy whose own family is poor and dysfunctional in the extreme.

The Guardian - Film

When Ruth grows up and becomes close to a girlfriend named Imogene, her aunt's most agonizing maternal instincts are put to the test.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider whether a more precise verb might be more impactful. For example, instead of "the result becomes close to zero", you could write "the result approaches zero".

Common error

While "becomes close to" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal or scientific writing can make your text sound less precise. Opt for stronger verbs that convey the same meaning more directly such as "approaches", "nears" or "converges to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "becomes close to" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of approximation or approaching a certain state or relationship. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. The examples show it being used in contexts ranging from describing personal relationships to scientific measurements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "becomes close to" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the process of approaching a certain state, value, or relationship. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and commonly found across diverse contexts, including science, news and media, and wiki sources. While generally acceptable, consider using more precise verbs like "approaches" or "nears" for greater impact, especially in formal writing. Ludwig's examples highlight its broad applicability, from illustrating developing relationships to depicting convergence in scientific measurements. Remember to tailor your choice to the desired tone and level of precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approaches

This suggests a movement toward a state, differing in its directness.

nears

Indicates proximity in condition or state, slightly more concise.

verges on

Implies approaching a limit or boundary, adding a sense of potential transition.

borders on

Similar to 'verges on', this conveys the idea of being at the edge of something.

tends toward

This suggests a leaning or inclination in a certain direction.

inclines toward

Similar to 'tends toward', this indicates a predisposition or favoring.

is approximating

This describes the act of getting closer to a specific value or condition.

is nearing

This phrase implies an imminent approach, emphasizing the process of getting closer.

is getting closer to

This is a more descriptive version, but less concise.

is drawing nearer to

This expresses the action of becoming less distant in a formal or literary style.

FAQs

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

You can use "becomes close to" to describe a state or condition that is being approached, such as "As the deadline approaches, the project "becomes close to" completion".

What are some alternatives to "becomes close to"?

Alternatives include "approaches", "nears", "verges on", or "borders on", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "approaches" or "becomes close to"?

While both are correct, "approaches" is often more concise and direct. The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality. "Becomes close to" can sometimes add a softer, less definitive tone.

When is it appropriate to use "becomes close to" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "becomes close to" in both formal and informal writing contexts. However, in scientific or technical writing, using a more precise term like "converges to" or "approaches" is preferable.