close close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close close" is not standard or commonly used in written English.
It may be used in specific contexts, such as emphasizing proximity or a repeated action, but it is generally unclear without additional context. Example: "The door was close close to being shut, but it remained ajar."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Close, close, close.

The Guardian - Sport

"It is close, close, close," he said in Flint.

The New York Times

"Close, close, close," the teacher said. 1 2 3 4 5 Next Page ».

The New York Times

Close, close enough: I heard the fire and the screaming".

The New Yorker

A line of dark pine trees stands at the end of the airfield, looming close, close, closer still.

The New Yorker

To shorten the food chain is to pull it close, close enough to put a face on one's food and a familiar place on one's plate.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

People aren't just taking horribly close close-ups anymore, they're taking them against a backdrop of dead people and Holocaust memorials.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I think Zinnemann was very good at knowing how to use the close-ups -- the real close-ups, the close close-ups -- just when they would have the most impact.

The New York Times

And if there is a serious connection between the fragmented Close close-up portraits that are among the backdrops and the sometimes Chopin-like, thinly pretty ripplings of Mr. Glass's music, Mr. Elo's choreography does not point them out on a first viewing.

The New York Times - Arts

Russov comes close, closer than two people should stand.

The Guardian - Books

close Closes the currently-opened file, if the stream is open.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "close close" in formal writing. Opt for more standard alternatives like "very close" or "extremely close" for clarity.

Common error

Don't use "close close" when a single "close" or a more descriptive adjective phrase is sufficient. Redundancy weakens your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close close" primarily functions as an attempt to emphasize proximity or nearness. As Ludwig indicates, this construction is not standard English and can be seen as a redundant adjective phrase. The examples in Ludwig reveal this usage in diverse contexts, but consistently suggest clearer, more conventional alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close close" is a non-standard English expression used in an attempt to emphasize proximity. While found in various contexts across news, science, and academic sources, its grammatical correctness is questionable. Ludwig flags it as non-idiomatic, recommending clearer alternatives like "very close" or "extremely close". Therefore, while its intent is to intensify the description of nearness, it's best to avoid "close close" in formal writing and opt for more conventional and grammatically sound alternatives to ensure clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very near

Emphasizes proximity using an intensifier.

extremely close

Strongly emphasizes proximity.

in close proximity

Formally indicates nearness.

right next to

Indicates immediate adjacency.

nearly touching

Highlights the almost physical contact.

close by

A more succinct term that specifies proximity.

in close succession

Indicates repetition of an event happening very quickly

in rapid sequence

A more formal expression for quickly repeating events

repeatedly near

Emphasizes the repeated aspect of proximity.

close to each other

Refers to the proximity of two or more entities.

FAQs

What does "close close" mean?

The phrase "close close" is not a standard English expression. It might be an attempt to emphasize nearness, but alternatives like "very close" or "extremely close" are clearer.

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

While not recommended for formal use, you might use "close close" in informal speech to emphasize proximity, but consider more standard alternatives for better clarity. For example, instead of "The houses were close close", try "The houses were "very close together"".

Is "close close" grammatically correct?

No, "close close" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use adjectives like "near", "close", or adverbs like "nearby".

What's the difference between "close close" and "very close"?

"Very close" is a grammatically correct and common way to emphasize proximity. "Close close" is non-standard and can sound redundant or awkward. Always prefer "very close" for formal and clear communication.