brought to a close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brought to a close" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase generally implies that something has reached its conclusion or end. For example, you might say "The presentation was brought to a close after an hour".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

The event is brought to a close.

The Guardian

With that, the press conference is brought to a close.

The Guardian

During the same year the protracted siege of Samaria was brought to a close.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Albigensian Crusade was finally brought to a close by the French King Louis VIII.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That day's negotiations were brought to a close without his intervention.

The New Yorker

In his preeminence today, Grappelli has brought to a close that particular development in European jazz.

The New Yorker

The developments brought to a close the family's disappearance and a robust police search.

The New York Times

The attacks on Friday also brought to a close a particularly violent week.

The New York Times

The war can never be brought to a close until that key is in our pocket".

The New York Times

The event brought to a close the six-year campaign that began in March 2003.

The Guardian

After the investigation was brought to a close in June, Richard said he was "thrilled".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brought to a close" to indicate the formal or official end of an event, discussion, or process. It adds a sense of finality and resolution.

Common error

While "brought to a close" is grammatically correct, avoid overuse of the passive voice. Sometimes, an active construction like "The chairman closed the meeting" is more direct and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brought to a close" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the termination or completion of an event, process, or discussion. It is commonly used to describe the act of formally ending something, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "brought to a close" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote the termination or conclusion of something. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for formal contexts like news reports and encyclopedias, signaling the end of a process or event. While alternatives such as "ended" or "concluded" exist, "brought to a close" often carries a more deliberate and formal tone. When writing, be mindful of potential passive voice overuse and opt for active constructions where appropriate to enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brought to an end

A slight variation that maintains a similar structure and meaning.

ended

A simple and direct synonym for "brought to a close".

finished

Directly indicates that something is complete.

concluded

This is a single-word synonym that indicates the end of something.

finalized

Suggests that all necessary steps have been taken to complete something.

terminated

Implies a more formal or abrupt ending compared to the original phrase.

was completed

Focuses on the state of being finished.

reached its conclusion

More descriptive, emphasizing the process of reaching an end point.

wrapped up

Informal term for finishing or completing something.

put to rest

Idiomatic expression suggesting that something has been definitively resolved or ended.

FAQs

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

You can use "brought to a close" to describe the end of an event, discussion, or period of time. For example, "The conference was "brought to a close" with a keynote speech."

What are some alternatives to "brought to a close"?

Alternatives include "concluded", "ended", or "terminated", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it better to say "brought to a close" or "ended"?

"Brought to a close" often implies a more formal or deliberate ending than simply "ended". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired tone.

What is the difference between "brought to a close" and "concluded"?

"Concluded" is a single-word synonym that can often replace "brought to a close", but the latter might be preferred in situations where you want to emphasize the process or manner of ending something.