close of us

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close of us" is not correct in written English.
It seems to be a misunderstanding or misphrasing, as it does not convey a clear meaning. Example: "The close of us was marked by a heartfelt conversation." (This is an attempt to use it, but it is still awkward.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

European regulators will release the results of a stress test on MPS, Italy's third largest bank, and 50 others across the EU that are being assessed after the close of US markets on Friday.

The Guardian - Business

The companies said they had agreed the deal on 30 December, but only made it public on Thursday after close of US markets.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

There will be no closing of US-based charities and NGO's that openly raise tax-free money for Israeli settlers.

Huffington Post

for John Gross One day, in that year, and so quietly that not the closest of us guessed, the history of Europe changed.

The Guardian - Books

Not many people knew, even at the end, but the closest of us to it have a hard time recalling when she seemed genuinely happy.

Huffington Post

Soon after the start of the 20th century, fears that the English races would be overrun with American-bred Thoroughbreds because of the closing of US racetracks in the early 1910s, led to the Jersey Act of 1913.

Wikipedia

"I'm fascinated by how close each of us can come to that in our lives".

The New York Times

But the condiments were within close range of us, and the light, puffy beignets never made it to the oven.

The New York Times

As the summer draws to a close, some of us will still be planning that last-minute getaway.

The Guardian

We have always been extremely close, all of us.

Los Angeles Times

We were close, both of us active in the Catholic Church.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "close of us" in formal writing. Instead, opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "close to us" or "near us", depending on the intended meaning.

Common error

The phrase "close of us" often arises from a misunderstanding of how prepositions function. Remember that "close" typically requires "to" when indicating proximity or connection. Avoid substituting it with "of" unless you intend to convey a completely different meaning, such as "the close of business".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close of us" functions incorrectly as it attempts to denote proximity or association. Grammatically, it's flawed as "close" requires the preposition "to" in such contexts. Ludwig AI highlights its incorrect usage in standard English writing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close of us" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. While the intention might be to convey nearness, association, or conclusion, its flawed structure hinders effective communication. Ludwig AI confirms its incorrect usage, advising against it in formal writing. Opt for alternatives like ""close to us"" or ""near us"" for proximity, and rephrase to clarify the intended meaning. Despite appearing in a few contexts, its usage is rare and should be approached with caution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close to us

A more grammatically correct way to express nearness or emotional connection.

the closing of our...

This refers to the termination of something that belongs to "us", such as "the closing of our office".

in close proximity to us

Emphasizes the closeness of something to a group of people.

near us

Indicates physical or metaphorical proximity, replacing "close" with a direct synonym.

in our vicinity

Formal way of saying "near us", indicating spatial proximity.

drawing to a close for us

Replaces with idiom "drawing to a close" to indicate something is ending.

the end for us

Replaces "close" with "end" to denote a conclusion or termination relevant to "us".

among us

Indicates being included within a group, focusing on the inclusive aspect.

at our heels

Suggests closely following or pursuing.

within our reach

Highlights accessibility or attainability by "us".

FAQs

What does "close of us" mean?

The phrase "close of us" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Depending on the intended meaning, it could be interpreted as "near to us" or related to something ending for "us". It's better to use more standard phrasing.

How can I correctly use "close" with a preposition?

To indicate proximity or connection, use "close to". For example, "They are "close to us"". To indicate the end of something, use "the close of", as in "the close of the day".

Is "close of us" ever appropriate in writing?

While very rare, "close of us" might appear in highly informal or poetic contexts where strict grammatical rules are relaxed. However, for clarity and correctness, it's best to avoid it in most writing scenarios.

What are some alternatives to "close of us"?

Depending on the intended meaning, consider using alternatives like "near us", "close to us", or phrases indicating conclusion like "the end for us".