close at hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close at hand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to indicate something is near or readily accessible. For example, you could say, "The answer to the problem was close at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A friendly mutiny was close at hand.

The New York Times - Travel

Luckily, support is close at hand.

The New York Times

Other dangers are close at hand.

The Guardian - Opinion

As it happened, General Petraeus was close at hand.

The New York Times

Another weapon close at hand is the Bank of Japan.

The Economist

That moment, he said, now seems close at hand.

The New York Times - Science

Two museums are close at hand and worth a look.

Independent

The others rest in bags close at hand.

The Washington Post

But now, they say, a deal is close at hand.

The New York Times

At evening high school, teachers are close at hand.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

A new library ensures the Universitys entire collection remains close at hand.

University of Chicago

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close at hand" when you want to emphasize that something is not only near but also easily accessible or readily available for use. It implies convenience and preparedness.

Common error

Avoid using "close at hand" solely to indicate something happening soon if there's no element of physical nearness or accessibility involved. Use alternatives like "imminent" or "approaching" to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close at hand" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or verb to indicate proximity or accessibility. As confirmed by Ludwig, it correctly describes something that is near and readily available.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close at hand" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to indicate that something is nearby and easily accessible. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and widely used across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academia, it serves to highlight convenience, preparedness, or imminence. While alternatives like "readily available" or "within reach" exist, "close at hand" effectively conveys both proximity and ease of access, making it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within easy reach

Combines accessibility with the idea of minimal effort.

within reach

Emphasizes the ability to obtain or access something without significant effort.

nearby

Simple and direct synonym indicating physical closeness.

readily available

Focuses on the ease of access, omitting the spatial proximity aspect.

easily accessible

Highlights the lack of obstacles in obtaining something, rather than physical closeness.

in proximity

More formal and strictly denotes physical nearness.

at the ready

Implies preparedness and immediate availability for use.

just around the corner

Idiomatic expression indicating something is soon to happen or easily found nearby.

approaching

Focuses on the temporal aspect of something nearing, rather than spatial.

impending

Highlights the imminence of an event, often with a sense of foreboding.

FAQs

What does "close at hand" mean?

The phrase "close at hand" means that something is near and easily accessible or readily available. It can refer to physical proximity or the imminence of an event.

How can I use "close at hand" in a sentence?

You can use "close at hand" to describe resources, assistance, or even potential dangers. For example: "Medical help is "close at hand" in the emergency room." Or: "With the storm approaching, danger was "close at hand"."

What are some alternatives to "close at hand"?

Some alternatives to "close at hand" include "readily available", "within reach", "nearby", and "easily accessible". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "closely at hand" instead of "close at hand"?

While "closely" can modify "hand" in other contexts (e.g., "holding it closely"), the established idiom is "close at hand". Using "closely at hand" may sound awkward to native English speakers.