close order

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close order" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a military context to describe a formation where troops are arranged closely together. Example: "The drill sergeant commanded the troops to fall into close order for inspection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Detroit won the cup in 1997 and 1998, but it takes three championships in close order to be considered a dynasty.

The New York Times - Sports

In close order behind him came the Green Party's Sian Berry on 3% followed by the Liberal Democrats' Caroline Pidgeon tied with Galloway on 2%.

The Guardian - Opinion

After a relative lull in insider violence against Westerners, also known as green-on-blue attacks, two such attacks have come in close order.

The New York Times

The ranks were full, a thousand men, marching in close order, moving with the military precision of veterans, and keeping time to the music of a full band".

The New York Times

The front was too small: some men, finding no fighting room, withdrew; the rest, in too close order, made a perfect target for arrows.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When they reached the rich plain of Troy, they came up out of the sea in a long line on to the sands, at the place where the ships of the Myrmidons were drawn up in close order round the tents of Achilles.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

One is the separation of two close orders arising from flexible coupler imbalancing and gear meshing of a transmission-element test bench.

Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing

Technical and quantitative analysis in financial trading use mathematical and statistical tools to help investors decide on the optimum moment to initiate and close orders.

Expert Systems with Applications

The case is still technically open until the judges issue a "closing order" that can amount to an indictment.

The New York Times

In February, the army allowed some Arab colleges to reopen after a similar two-year closing order.

The New York Times

There was not much pace on in this race but Long Run settled quite well before taking closer order with a circuit to go.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing military formations or drills, use "close order" to accurately convey the compactness and precision of the arrangement. This phrase is particularly useful in historical or technical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "close order" in contexts that don't involve structured arrangements or sequences. Using it loosely can lead to confusion, especially in non-military or non-technical settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close order" functions primarily as a descriptive term. Based on Ludwig, it describes a specific type of arrangement or sequence, often in military or technical contexts, where elements are positioned closely together. Ludwig AI confirms it as a correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

24%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Science

16%

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close order" is a descriptive phrase primarily used to denote a structured, compact arrangement or sequence, especially in military and technical contexts. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Although it appears across different source types, it is most common in news, encyclopedia, and wiki sources. While "tight formation" can be a suitable alternative, it's important to reserve "close order" for scenarios that require a formal or organized implication. Overall, understanding the context is key to correctly using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tight formation

Focuses on the spatial arrangement of entities being closely packed together.

compact arrangement

Emphasizes the neat and efficient organization of elements in a confined space.

marching in formation

Specifies the action of moving together in an organized manner.

orderly array

Highlights the structured and systematic arrangement of items.

tightly packed

Stresses the density and proximity of objects within a given area.

immediate succession

Highlights the sequence of events happening one after another without delay.

quick sequence

Highlights the speed and rapidness of consecutive events.

rapid series

Focuses on multiple events following closely after each other.

one after another

Emphasizes the sequential nature of events with little or no gap in between.

in rapid-fire

Conveys the speed and intensity of occurrences in quick repetition.

FAQs

How is "close order" typically used in military contexts?

In military contexts, "close order" refers to formations where troops are arranged closely together, often during drills or inspections. This contrasts with extended order, where soldiers are more dispersed.

What's the difference between "tight formation" and "close order"?

While "tight formation" can be a general term for any compact arrangement, "close order" specifically refers to a formal, structured military arrangement or drill. The former is less specific and can apply to various contexts.

Can I use "close order" to describe a business transaction?

While technically you could use "close order" to describe transactions happening in quick succession, it's more common and clearer to use phrases like "rapid series" or "immediate succession" in a business context to avoid confusion with its military connotation.

What are some common errors when using "close order"?

A common error is using "close order" in situations where the arrangement isn't structured or formal. For example, describing a crowded room as being in "close order" would be inaccurate. It's better to reserve it for specific, organized formations.