close as though

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close as though" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to express a comparison or similarity, but it is better to clarify the intended meaning. Example: "He held her hand close as though it were a fragile object."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The city looked agonisingly close, as though one could almost reach out and grasp it".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Though it closed as high as $53.94 in March, the stock has slumped more than 35% to $34.91, near where the gurus dumped all of their holdings last week.

Forbes

Close as they were, though, they still lost both games.

The New York Times

The shopkeeper then pulled a wooden shutter closed, as though to conceal the transaction.

The New Yorker

Its legendary "mid-town Frenchies" were closing, as though contaminated, one after the other.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I turned on the squirt gun, and she stood there, stiff, arms at her sides, eyes closed, as though awaiting mummification.

The New Yorker

They all posed with their eyes closed, as though dreaming, because Breton believed that "the dream was the key to the unconscious," Mr. Wallis explained.

The New York Times - Arts

But right now the market climbs with every tick toward the 4 p.m. closing, as though willed to rise by all the Lennys now eyeing the electronic board.

The New York Times

Lady Gaga, now dressed in a huge stole made of crow feathers, acknowledged his presence, saying, "Hi, Dad!" The Jumbotron screen caught him with his eyes closed, as though he couldn't watch.

The New Yorker

No one will ever mistake the plain-speaking, pretension-skewering Riley for Rubin, a self-styled guru-producer who contemplates music with his legs crossed and his eyes closed as though weighing up some great cosmic calculation rather than the latest Dixie Chicks album.

The Guardian - Music

The eyes are calmly closed, as though in healthy sleep.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close as though", ensure the comparison is clear and logical. Consider whether a more direct comparison might improve clarity.

Common error

Be careful not to overuse "close as though" in contexts where the intended meaning could be misconstrued as physical proximity rather than a comparison of states or conditions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close as though" primarily functions as a conjunction phrase used to draw a comparison or establish a sense of similarity between two elements, indicating that something is similar to something else, often in a figurative sense. This is visible both in exact and similar examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close as though" serves as a comparative conjunction phrase, establishing a resemblance between elements. As highlighted by Ludwig, the phrase is considered acceptable but not the most precise choice for formal contexts. It frequently appears in news media and informal writing, aiming to create a figurative connection. While alternatives like "almost as if" or "nearly as though" can offer improved clarity, the choice depends largely on the intended nuance and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost as if

Replaces "though" with "if", slightly altering the nuance of the comparison.

nearly as though

Adds "nearly" to emphasize the approximation in the comparison.

it seemed as though

Changes the structure to explicitly state the appearance of something.

as if it were

Emphasizes a hypothetical or unreal situation.

akin to

Replaces the entire phrase with a more concise expression of similarity.

resembling as if

Adds "resembling" to emphasize the visual or apparent similarity.

much like

Offers a simpler alternative expressing a strong degree of similarity.

similarly to how

Focuses on the manner or way in which things are alike.

in a manner suggestive of

Provides a more formal and descriptive alternative.

giving the impression of

Highlights the perceived effect or appearance.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "close as though" to improve clarity?

Consider alternatives like "almost as if", "nearly as though", or restructuring the sentence to use a more direct comparison. For example, instead of saying "He held her hand "close as though" it were a fragile object", you could say "He held her hand as if it were a fragile object".

What's the difference between "close as though" and "close as if"?

While both phrases express similarity, "close as though" implies a slightly stronger sense of resemblance or approximation. "Close as if" is more hypothetical, suggesting a potential or imagined similarity.

Is "close as though" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "close as though" is less common than other comparative phrases and may sound somewhat awkward in formal writing. Ludwig AI analysis suggests it's acceptable but could benefit from increased clarity.

In what contexts is "close as though" most appropriately used?

It's generally suitable in informal contexts or creative writing where a slightly unconventional expression adds character. In formal or technical writing, clearer and more direct comparisons are preferable.