close of the month

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close of the month" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the end or conclusion of a month, often in financial or reporting contexts. Example: "We need to finalize the budget by the close of the month to ensure timely reporting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Vegetables and produce, in storage heretofore considered safe, were frozen, and the amount of damage therefrom remained unknown at the close of the month.

The New York Times

"Snow falling on the 13th was later reduced to an ice coating in nearly all sections, which lasted till the close of the month.

The New York Times

After facing the now inescapable round of official receptions en route, by the close of the month she was back at Malmaison.

University of Chicago

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The next day, UB-47 closed out the month of October with the sinking of the Greek steamer Avis.

Wikipedia

The Liverpool manager said that while players could still leave Anfield, there wouldm't be any arrivals before the close of the January transfer window.

Independent

Chester boss Steve Burr is still keen to bring in new players ahead of the close of the August transfer window.

BBC

Wolves boss Dean Saunders is targeting the area he knows best as he plans to freshen up his squad at Molineux before the close of the January window.

BBC

Wes Morgan has reaffirmed his desire to secure a new contract at Leicester City, ideally before the close of the January transfer window.

BBC

Birmingham City manager Gary Rowett admits that he is not surprised at all the transfer speculation surrounding Blues' prize asset Demarai Gray, ahead of the close of the August window.

BBC

Coventry City manager Steven Pressley admits that he feels "let down" by Leon Clarke as he prepares for the departure of his 18-goal top scorer before the close of the January transfer window.

BBC

At the close of the June meeting, the Government of Ethiopia committed to hosting a follow-up meeting with African health ministers in January 2013, to coincide, roughly, with the African Union Summit.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close of the month" in professional communications when referring to deadlines or fiscal reporting periods. It provides a clear and concise way to indicate the end of a specific month.

Common error

Avoid assuming "close of the month" always refers to the 30th or 31st. Confirm the exact end date, especially in financial contexts where the last business day may differ.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close of the month" functions as a temporal marker, specifying a point in time: the end of a calendar month. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and appropriate for various contexts. It often acts as an adverbial phrase modifying verbs related to deadlines, reporting, or financial closures.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "close of the month" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote the end of a calendar month. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability. It functions primarily to indicate deadlines or the conclusion of reporting periods, particularly in professional and formal settings. While interchangeable with "end of the month", "close of the month" often carries a slightly more formal tone. When using this phrase, ensure the specific deadline is clear, as the actual 'close' may vary depending on business practices or specific agreements. Its frequent use in news, business, and academic contexts solidifies its reliability and professional standing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

end of month

Direct synonym, maintains simplicity and broad applicability.

month's end

More concise, emphasizes the finality of the month.

at month's end

Prepositional phrase equivalent, indicates timing.

end of the current month

Adds specificity, useful for clarifying the timeframe.

conclusion of the month

Synonymous, focusing on the idea of finishing or concluding.

latter part of the month

Focuses on the general time period near the end of the month without specifying the exact end.

final days of the month

Highlights the last few days leading up to the end.

end of the monthly cycle

Emphasizes the cyclical nature of the month, suitable for recurring processes.

month's termination

Formal and less common, emphasizing the end as a termination point.

monthly deadline

Focuses on the finality and importance of the monthly period for task completion.

FAQs

How can I use "close of the month" in a sentence?

You can use "close of the month" to indicate a deadline or the end of a reporting period. For example, "All reports are due by the close of the month." You might also say "We aim to finalize the budget by "month's end"".

What's a more formal alternative to "close of the month"?

While "close of the month" is suitable for professional settings, if you need a more formal tone, consider using "month's termination" in specific cases where you want to emphasize the conclusion of a process.

Is "end of the month" the same as "close of the month"?

"End of the month" and "close of the month" are often interchangeable and can be considered synonyms. Both refer to the final days of the month. However, "close of the month" often carries a slightly more formal connotation, making it suitable for business contexts.

What does "close of business" mean in relation to "close of the month"?

"Close of business" refers to the end of the workday, while "close of the month" refers to the end of the entire month. For example, a task due by the "close of business" on the "end of month" means it must be completed by the end of the last workday of that month.