bring to a close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bring to a close" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating the conclusion or end of an event, discussion, or process. Example: "As we bring this meeting to a close, I want to thank everyone for their contributions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Peake's return to Earth will bring to a close an impressive first tour in orbit.

The Guardian

Saturday's events bring to a close a nine-year presidency during which Mr. Mbeki accrued both celebration and disrepute.

The New York Times

"This announcement will bring to a close one of the darkest chapters in our nation's history," he said.

The Guardian

When Atlantis makes its final return, it will bring to a close more than 40 years of space age history.

The Guardian

The new rules bring to a close a bitter regulatory battle in which industry's lobbying power has largely had the upper hand.

The New York Times

If true, his death would bring to a close one of the more unusual chapters in more than two decades of fighting in the Horn of Africa.

The New York Times

The defense secretary's words reflected the Obama administration's eagerness to bring to a close the second of two grinding ground wars it inherited from the Bush administration.

The New York Times

CHRISTIE'S and Sotheby's, the world's leading auction houses, had hoped that this week would bring to a close the price-fixing scandal that has laid their reputations low.

The Economist

Just before half-time Pryce strolled through to bring to a close what had been a perfect 40 minutes for the league leaders.

The Guardian - Sport

A sale of the Meantime brewery in Greenwich will bring to a close a brief spell under SAB's ownership after it was bought by the group last May.

The Guardian - Business

Like wars and love affairs, depression is a thing that is easy to get started but difficult to bring to a close.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bring to a close" when you want to indicate the ending of a process, event, or discussion, often with a sense of formality or completion. For instance, "The chairman will bring the meeting to a close after the final report."

Common error

Avoid using "bring to a close" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms like "conclude" or "wrap up" to maintain the reader's interest.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "bring to a close" is that of a verbal phrase acting as a predicate, indicating the act of ending or concluding something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is considered correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bring to a close" is a common and grammatically correct idiomatic expression used to indicate the ending or conclusion of something. Ludwig AI confirms this, noting its usability in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it also appears in formal business settings, reflecting a neutral to professional register. While various synonyms exist, such as "conclude" or "wrap up", "bring to a close" offers a slightly more formal tone. Remember to avoid overuse and vary your language for better writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bring to an end

A slightly more emphatic version of the original phrase.

conclude

A more formal and direct synonym, suggesting a definite ending.

draw to a close

Suggests a gradual and natural ending.

finish

A simpler and more general term for ending an activity or process.

wrap up

Suggests a neat and tidy conclusion, often used informally.

put an end to

Emphasizes the act of stopping something, often with a sense of finality.

terminate

Implies a more abrupt or official ending, often used in legal or formal contexts.

close out

Often used in business contexts to indicate the completion of a project or account.

cease

A formal term implying the stopping of an action or state.

halt

Implies a sudden stop, often due to an external force.

FAQs

What does "bring to a close" mean?

The phrase "bring to a close" means to end or conclude something, such as a meeting, discussion, or event. It suggests a formal and deliberate termination.

What can I say instead of "bring to a close"?

You can use alternatives like "conclude", "finish", "terminate", or "wrap up" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "bring to a close" or "bring to an end"?

Both "bring to a close" and "bring to an end" are correct and convey a similar meaning. "Bring to a close" might be perceived as slightly more formal or elegant, while "bring to an end" is more direct.

How to use "bring to a close" in a sentence?

You can use it in sentences like: "The chairman will now bring the meeting to a close." or "The agreement will bring to a close years of negotiations."