close contracts

USAGE SUMMARY

"close contracts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to completing negotiations for a contract and signing it, or to refer to ending an existing contract - for example: "The company has agreed to close the contracts with its suppliers by the end of the financial year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"It highlights their ability to close contracts, and positions them well".

The New York Times

"We are in negotiations to close contracts under NDA, and we are finalising with one in the games industry," he said.

TechCrunch

Many expect a lot of volatility and increased volume during triple-witching expirations, as traders close contracts and offset their options and futures positions ahead of Friday's closing bell.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

On his successor Infantino, Blatter said the pair never had "close contract", but would "hug warmly" when they met.

The Guardian - Sport

"Descend to earth, there place thy throne; To succour man's afflicted son Each human heart inspire: To act in bounties unconfin'd, Enlarge the close contracted mind, And fill it with thy fire".

The Guardian - Books

Mr. Rowland, a Republican, had demanded that the bill retain language giving the new board the power to close contract negotiations with Waterbury's unions without seeking arbitration, as state law mandates.

The New York Times

The Homeland Security Department will also need to develop a close contracting relationship with the National Institutes of Health, the division of government best suited for developing the vaccines, antibiotics and other drugs needed to deter or cope with a biological weapons attack.

The New York Times

This view is echoed by Dr Restif, who argues that because the world's population is expanding, close contract with wildlife will increase, which is often "the first driver of these events".

BBC

The healthy subjects had normal findings on chest radiogram and no history of close contract with TB patients and no family history of tuberculosis.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Though the deal has not yet closed, "contracts are out, and we're going back and forth a little on them," Mr. Englander said.

The New York Times

Do you run an agency driven by closing contracts and locking people in?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing sales or business development, use "close contracts" to clearly communicate the successful completion of a deal.

Common error

Avoid using "close contracts" when you mean to discuss the renewal or extension of existing agreements. "Close contracts" indicates finalizing or ending a contract, while renewal implies continuing it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close contracts" functions primarily as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the action of finalizing or completing contractual agreements. Ludwig indicates this usage is grammatically correct and common.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close contracts" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that signifies the successful finalization of contractual agreements. According to Ludwig, it is typically used in professional contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. When using this phrase, be mindful of its specific meaning—finalizing or completing agreements—and avoid confusing it with related terms like "renew contracts". Remember to choose alternative expressions, such as "finalize contracts" or "execute contracts", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finalize contracts

Emphasizes the final stage of completing the contracts process.

execute contracts

Focuses on the formal signing and implementation of contracts.

complete contracts

Highlights the action of bringing the contracts to a finished state.

conclude contracts

Suggests the termination of negotiations and agreement on the contracts terms.

secure contracts

Focuses on obtaining contracts successfully, rather than the act of closing them.

seal contracts

Refers to formally ratifying or approving the contracts.

settle contracts

Implies resolving any outstanding issues before closing the contracts.

wrap up contracts

Suggests finishing all necessary steps to finalize the contracts.

discharge contracts

Focuses on the fulfillment of obligations under the contracts, leading to their closure.

bring contracts to fruition

Emphasizes achieving the desired outcome or completion of the contracts.

FAQs

How to use "close contracts" in a sentence?

You can use "close contracts" to describe the successful finalization of agreements, such as: "The sales team worked hard to close contracts before the end of the quarter".

What can I say instead of "close contracts"?

You can use alternatives like "finalize contracts", "execute contracts", or "complete contracts" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "close contracts" or "closing contracts"?

"Close contracts" is generally used as an infinitive or in contexts describing a general action, whereas "closing contracts" is the gerund form, used in continuous tenses or as a noun. For example, "Closing contracts is essential for revenue growth".

What's the difference between "close contracts" and "renew contracts"?

"Close contracts" refers to finalizing agreements or bringing them to an end, while "renew contracts" means to extend the terms of existing agreements for a further period.