close against

USAGE SUMMARY

"close against" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe something that is in contact with something else in a tight, confined space. For example, "The rocks were pushed close against each other by the force of the river's current."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Sports

Books

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Now amid the stars, and now pressed close against a window pearled with raindrops.

The New York Times - Food

MW The Cardinals kept things close against Seattle for a quarter.

The Guardian - Sport

He was in the big house, pressed close against the wall of the dark hallway.

The New York Times - Magazine

Pressing up close against his back, she made him too hot.

The New Yorker

Elon wakes in the night, and I lay my cheek close against his, until he settles.

The Guardian - Books

"Sometimes I come in when the game is close, against the top of the order.

The New York Times - Sports

Can Toledo get the win over a B.C.S. conference opponent after coming so close against Ohio State?

The New York Times

Betis, by being bold and by turning turmoil into a great adventure, ran mighty close against the giant.

The New York Times - Sports

A border city, pressed close against Croatia and Serbia, it was mainly Bosniak when war broke out in 1992.

The Guardian

Roddick played well but couldn't make it close against a phenomenon John McEnroe has called maybe the best player ever.

The New York Times

The Nets, outscored by a combined 51 points in their previous three games, were able to stay close against the surging Bulls, who lead the Central division.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close against" when describing physical proximity or pressure between two objects or entities. It effectively conveys a sense of nearness and sometimes confinement.

Common error

Avoid using "close against" in purely abstract or conceptual situations where physical proximity isn't implied. Instead, use more appropriate phrases like "in relation to" or "regarding" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close against" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. It describes the spatial relationship between two entities, indicating nearness or contact. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

15%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Arts

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close against" is a prevalent and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to denote physical proximity and contact. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase sees frequent usage in diverse sources like news articles, encyclopedias, and literary works. While adaptable, it's best suited for concrete descriptions of spatial relationships. Semantically, phrases like "in close proximity to" and "up against" offer suitable alternatives, depending on context. It's important to avoid overuse in purely abstract situations, where other phrases may be more apt. By considering these nuances, writers can use "close against" effectively to enrich their descriptive language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in direct contact with

Highlights the directness and lack of separation between objects.

in close proximity to

Replaces "close against" with a more formal phrasing emphasizing nearness.

in contact with

Focuses on the physical touch or connection between two things.

hard against

Emphasizes the firmness or force with which something is pressed.

up against

This alternative suggests facing a challenge or being in direct contact.

adjacent to

Specifies that something is next to or adjoining something else.

next to

A simple way to indicate that one thing is beside another.

abutting

A formal term indicating that two things touch or border each other.

nearby

Indicates general closeness without necessarily implying direct contact.

in opposition to

Shifts the meaning towards conflict or resistance, rather than physical closeness.

FAQs

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

Use "close against" to describe something positioned very near or touching another object. For example, "The building sits "close against" the riverbank."

What are some alternatives to "close against"?

You can use phrases like "in close proximity to", "up against", or "adjacent to" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "closely against" instead of "close against"?

While "closely" can describe how something is done, "close" in "close against" functions as an adjective describing proximity. Therefore, "close against" is generally preferred in contexts emphasizing physical nearness.

What's the difference between "close against" and "near"?

"Near" indicates general proximity, while ""close against"" implies a tighter, often touching, relationship. For example, "The chair is near the table" versus "The chair is pushed "close against" the table".