close formation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close formation" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in military or aviation contexts to describe a tight arrangement of units or aircraft flying or moving closely together. Example: "The squadron flew in close formation during the airshow, showcasing their precision and teamwork."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

And pigs might also fly in close formation.

The Guardian - Opinion

This frightens the birds and brings them into close formation behind their leader.

The New Yorker

Similarly, when combining two organizations, don't just let them fly in close formation.

Harvard Business Review

In the Eastern Conference standings today, you'll find eight teams in close formation, with the Flyers in the eighth spot.

The New York Times

On the basis of the pigeon flocking model, a distributed close formation control method to coordinate multiple UAVs to fly in a line close formation is presented.

Aerospace Science and Technology

Continuity mistake: When we first see the motorcade with the bus they are in close formation.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

These close formations of men marched or ran toward their opponents bristling with spear points, which they then thrust into the enemy's line.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the first six-hour enlistment period, 509 men committed themselves "to drill one hour a day in open and close formations". And on Feb. 26, when daily drills commenced in the gymnasium, 850 men showed up, representing 60percentt of the undergraduate student body.

Princeton University

Up close, formations made of compressed sand, clay and shale beds formed from ancient rivers and inland seas appear more rugged.

HuffPost

Heath and Warren reacted to Percy's artillery and flankers by ordering the militiamen to avoid close formations that would attract cannon fire.

Wikipedia

Yet, with the American division still well to the rear, the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade was the closest formation, and it was subsequently ordered forward to assist the American paratroopers.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close formation" when precision and order are important; otherwise, alternatives such as "tight grouping" or "compact arrangement" may be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "close formation" when describing loosely grouped entities or those that lack a structured arrangement. It implies a deliberate and maintained proximity, not simply being near each other.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close formation" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier describing how something moves or is arranged. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Examples show it describing aircraft, troops, and even abstract concepts like mixed metaphors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close formation" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that describes a tight and deliberate arrangement of entities. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. While generally neutral to professional in tone, its usage implies precision and order. Consider alternative phrases like "tight formation" or "compact arrangement" based on the specific context. When writing, be mindful of the intended level of precision and ensure that the entities described are genuinely in a structured, proximate arrangement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tight formation

Replaces "close" with "tight", emphasizing the compactness of the arrangement.

compact arrangement

Uses different words to describe the spatial relationship, focusing on compactness.

dense grouping

Highlights the density and clustered nature of the formation.

close order

More formal, often used in military contexts to describe a specific type of formation.

tightly packed

Emphasizes the lack of space between elements in the formation.

grouped closely

A more verbose way of saying the same thing, using a verb-adverb combination.

in proximity

Focuses on the nearness of the elements, rather than the formation itself.

in a cluster

Suggests a less organized, more haphazard close arrangement.

in a phalanx

Specifically refers to an ancient Greek battle formation, implying extreme closeness and order.

massed together

Highlights the large number of elements brought into a close configuration.

FAQs

How is "close formation" typically used in a sentence?

Typically, "close formation" describes a specific, tight arrangement of objects or people. For example, "The aircraft flew in "close formation" during the airshow" or "The soldiers advanced in "close formation"".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "close formation"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "tight formation", "compact arrangement", or "dense grouping". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "close formation" grammatically correct?

Yes, "close formation" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase in English. It accurately describes a tight, structured grouping of entities.

In what contexts is "close formation" most appropriately used?

"Close formation" is most appropriately used in contexts where a specific, tight, and often strategic arrangement is relevant, such as in military maneuvers, aviation displays, or scientific experiments involving coordinated movement.