close basketball

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close basketball" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe a situation where a basketball game is nearing its end or a close score, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "The game was intense, and with only a few minutes left, it was a close basketball match."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It came after watching Kansas lose a close basketball game in the N.C.A.A. tournament.

The New Yorker

AGGIES TRIUMPH.; Win Close Basketball Game From Wesleyan by 29-25 Score.

The New York Times

In more than 35 years of attending Knick games, your correspondent cannot remember having witnessed such an early departure from a relatively close basketball game in the Garden.

The New York Times - Sports

Growing up in Chicago, her brother, Craig Robinson, recalls, Mrs. Obama did not like watching close basketball games, but would always watch blowouts to the end.

The New York Times

Whether you have or don't have a rooting interest, love close basketball games or are just a TNT/ABC executive desperately hoping to avoid hyping a Memphis-Golden State series in the next round, the Western Conference right now is where it's at.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens is a graduate, as is Education Secretary Arne Duncan, a close basketball-playing friend of Rogers and the Obamas.

Princeton University

Thus, the writer claims, the closest basketball fans will get to a game right now is the new N.B.A. Store on Fifth Avenue, which opened on September 18th.

The New Yorker

The Busker A Court Closes in Brooklyn Closing Basketball's Gender Data Gap A Sense of Where You Are Starbucks and the Issue of White Space Seven Signs that Your Man's Masculinity Is Nontoxic Subscribe to The New Yorkerfor only $1 a week.Plus, get a free tote.

The New Yorker

The Busker A Court Closes in Brooklyn Closing Basketball's Gender Data Gap A Sense of Where You Are White House in Panic Mode After TV Star With Racist Twitter Feed Loses Job Starbucks and the Issue of White Space Subscribe to The New Yorkerfor only $1 a week.Plus, get a free tote.

The New Yorker

The closest basketball team is on the other side of the bay, as is the most athletically inclined university, and the hockey and soccer teams are an hour's drive away.

Huffington Post

• There have been a number of good shepherds who led the Knicks close to basketball's promised land.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a basketball game, use phrases like "tight basketball game" or "closely contested basketball game" for better clarity and impact. These alternatives more effectively convey the intended meaning.

Common error

Don't use the phrase "close basketball" as it is vague and can be misinterpreted. Instead, opt for more descriptive and commonly accepted phrases to ensure clear communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close basketball" functions as an adjective-noun combination, attempting to describe a characteristic of the sport. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, this usage is not considered standard or grammatically correct in English. This phrase aims to convey the intensity or competitiveness of a basketball game.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close basketball" is used to describe scenarios related to the sport, but it is not considered grammatically correct. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase does not convey a clear meaning in written English. Its primary contexts are within news and media. To avoid ambiguity, alternative phrases like "tight basketball game" or "closely contested basketball game" should be used to ensure clarity and accuracy in communication. While the phrase appears in some contexts, it is best to opt for more precise and commonly accepted alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tight basketball game

Replaces the single adjective "close" with "tight", which is more common for describing competitive games.

closely contested basketball game

Adds the word "contested" which emphasizes the competition level of the basketball game.

competitive basketball match

Substitutes "game" for "match", providing a synonym, and uses "competitive" which has a similar implication to "close".

nail-biting basketball game

This alternative suggests high tension and excitement during the basketball game.

evenly matched basketball game

Indicates the teams are of similar skill level, which often leads to a close game.

hard-fought basketball game

Emphasizes the effort and intensity involved in the game, implying it was closely contested.

intense basketball game

Highlights the high level of engagement and emotion during the game.

closely played basketball game

Focuses on how the game was executed, implying attention to detail and strategy on both sides.

neck-and-neck basketball game

This idiom describes a game where the scores are very close throughout.

down-to-the-wire basketball game

Suggests that the outcome of the game was only decided in the final moments.

FAQs

What does "close basketball" mean?

The phrase "close basketball" is generally interpreted as a basketball game that is tightly contested, with a small score difference between the teams. However, it's not standard English, and its meaning depends on context.

What can I say instead of "close basketball"?

You can use alternatives like "tight basketball game", "closely contested basketball game", or "competitive basketball match" to better describe a basketball game.

Is "close basketball" grammatically correct?

While understandable in certain contexts, "close basketball" is not grammatically ideal. Using more precise phrases such as "close basketball game" or "competitive basketball game" is preferable for clarity.

What's the difference between "close basketball" and "basketball closer"?

"Close basketball" attempts to describe a game's competitive intensity, whereas "basketball closer" refers to a player skilled at performing well in the final moments of a game.