close confrontation with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close confrontation with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone is in a direct and intense encounter or conflict with another person or entity. Example: "The journalist had a close confrontation with the protestors while covering the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But more than news reports, this issue of Granta forces an uncomfortably close confrontation with American foreign policy and the resentment it rightly or wrongly engenders.

The New York Times - Books

After a close confrontation with Kovu's mother Zira, the leader of the Outsiders and Scar's most loyal follower, Simba separates the two and reminds Kiara of her responsibilities as a princess.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Every successful step that Target takes -- signing designers to make baby bottles and little black dresses, moving deeper into the grocery business, persuading more and more upper-middle-class shoppers to become upper-middle-class bargain hunters -- brings it into closer confrontation with the $218 billion behemoth that is Wal-Mart.

The New York Times

The meeting brought the entrenched management of this huge company closer to confrontation with the new government, which has begun to look for ways to revamp the company since taking office this year.

The New York Times

This growing coalition expanded the potential enemies that Rome might face, and moved Rome closer to confrontation with major world powers.

Wikipedia

A convincing day-in-the-life develops: confrontations with a fly swat, a dizzying encircling of a lightbulb, a close encounter with an iced cake.

The Guardian - Books

This up close and personal confrontation with tragedy shaped the young woman who was already more than well aware of the omnipresent dangers of political assassination.

Huffington Post

Manuel said he had not spoken to his closer about the confrontation with Niemann and saw no need to do so.

The New York Times - Sports

If true, Assad's assertion would seem to edge Syria closer to a confrontation with neighboring Israel, which has said it would not allow the deployment of the sophisticated S-300 anti-aircraft system.

Los Angeles Times

But a new theatrical production allows them to enter the forest itself, complete with dancing flowers and close-up confrontations with the big, bad wolf (in this case, a little adorable one).

The New York Times - Arts

"Mr. Hampton was very emotional during the meeting, and at one point got very close to a physical confrontation with Senator Ensign.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close confrontation with" when you want to emphasize both the proximity and the intensity of a conflict or encounter. This phrase suggests a direct and potentially volatile situation.

Common error

Avoid using "close confrontation with" repeatedly in formal documents or academic papers, as it can sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "direct clash with" or "intense standoff with" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close confrontation with" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically acting as an adverbial modifier to describe the manner in which an event or interaction occurred. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "close confrontation with" describes a direct and intense encounter. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Though not frequently used, it effectively conveys a sense of proximity and tension in various contexts, particularly in news and media, according to the examples provided. When writing, consider the specific nuance you want to convey and choose synonyms like "direct clash with" or "intense standoff with" to avoid repetition. While generally acceptable, be mindful of overly frequent use, especially in formal writing, and make judicious decision based on the context of the overall content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

direct clash with

Substitutes 'confrontation' with 'clash' and 'close' with 'direct', focusing on the immediate and forceful nature of the conflict.

intense standoff with

Replaces 'close' with 'intense' and 'confrontation' with 'standoff', highlighting the high-stakes nature of the encounter.

immediate conflict with

Highlights the immediacy of the conflict, implying it arose suddenly.

head-to-head encounter with

Highlights the direct and personal nature of the meeting, replacing 'confrontation' with the more neutral 'encounter'.

face-to-face dispute with

Focuses on the personal aspect of the disagreement, using 'dispute' to soften the term 'confrontation'.

near collision with

Emphasizes the almost-but-not-quite contact, implying a potential for conflict that was narrowly avoided.

heated argument with

Replaces "confrontation" with "argument", highlighting the emotional intensity.

tense meeting with

Emphasizes the stress and potential for conflict during a formal encounter.

intimate battle with

Replaces "confrontation" with "battle", suggesting a fierce struggle; "intimate" emphasizes closeness in the figurative sense.

sharp disagreement with

Focuses on the strong difference of opinion that underlies the conflict.

FAQs

What does "close confrontation with" mean?

The phrase "close confrontation with" refers to a direct and intense encounter or conflict, suggesting proximity and a potentially volatile situation.

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

Example: "The negotiator had a "close confrontation with" the CEO during the tense contract negotiations."

What are some alternatives to "close confrontation with"?

You can use alternatives like "direct clash with", "intense standoff with", or "face-to-face dispute with" depending on the context.

Is "close confrontation with" formal or informal?

While generally acceptable, "close confrontation with" leans slightly towards neutral to formal usage. For extremely formal contexts, consider more nuanced alternatives like "intense disagreement" or "direct negotiation."