close outcome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close outcome" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a result that is very near to another result, often in contexts like competitions, elections, or statistical analyses. Example: "The election was a close outcome, with only a few hundred votes separating the candidates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Polls suggest a close outcome.

The New York Times

And the two Democrats are expected to divide the state's 83 delegates given the close outcome.

The New York Times

If there is a close outcome to the next election, such things could have big consequences.

The Guardian - Opinion

Andy Prior, media liaison for the Save Our Stadium campaign, expects a close outcome on Tuesday.

The Guardian - Sport

Campbell also foresees a close outcome, but he still tipped in Obama's direction.

The Washington Post

Mr. Torricelli said "there will be a sense of entitlement" on Mr. Gore's part because of the close outcome.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Second, it's much easier to establish cause and effect when actions and outcomes are close together in time.

Harvard Business Review

Polls in this state, which has a history of close outcomes, have see-sawed.

The New York Times

In addition, election officials in other states with close outcomes, like Iowa and Wisconsin, said they were bracing for challenges.

The New York Times

Mr. Hoekstra agreed with other voters who said the close outcomes in races this year would prompt more people to vote in 2004.

The New York Times

There are also close outcomes in Wisconsin, Oregon and New Mexico, all currently projected for Mr. Gore, but the announcement today appears to make formal what both sides had already tacitly acknowledged: the contest for the presidency comes down to Florida.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing elections or competitions, use "close outcome" to convey the narrow margin of victory or defeat. This emphasizes the competitiveness and unpredictability of the event.

Common error

The phrase "close outcome" is most effective when referring to situations involving competition or comparison. Avoid using it in contexts where the result is simply near or proximate without an element of rivalry or evaluation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close outcome" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "close" modifies the noun "outcome". Ludwig AI shows its use in describing results that are narrowly separated, particularly in competitive scenarios like elections.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close outcome" is a phrase used to describe results that are narrowly separated, frequently in the context of elections and competitions. Ludwig AI affirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase. While the phrase is common, ensure its usage fits contexts where results are competitive or comparative. Alternatives include "tight result", "narrow victory", or "razor-thin margin". Most frequently, it is used in "News & Media".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tight result

Emphasizes the small margin separating the final results.

narrow victory

Specifically indicates a win achieved by a slight advantage.

razor-thin margin

Highlights how extremely small the difference in results is.

neck and neck

Describes a situation where competitors are nearly equal throughout.

too close to call

Indicates uncertainty about the final result due to the proximity of the competitors.

closely contested

Describes a situation where the competition is very tight.

photo finish

Used when the end of competition is so close that a photo is needed to determine the winner.

marginal difference

Indicates a minimal disparity between final results.

slight advantage

Highlights that the result was achieved by a small lead.

nip and tuck

Suggests an ongoing competition with frequent lead changes and minimal separation.

FAQs

How can I use "close outcome" in a sentence?

You can use "close outcome" to describe situations where the results are very similar. For example, "The election resulted in a "close outcome", requiring a recount."

What are some alternatives to "close outcome"?

Alternatives include "tight result", "narrow victory", or "razor-thin margin", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it better to say "close outcome" or "closest outcome"?

"Close outcome" describes a result that is near another, while "closest outcome" refers to the nearest result among several possibilities. The choice depends on whether you're emphasizing proximity in general or identifying the nearest option.

What's the difference between "close outcome" and "similar outcome"?

"Close outcome" typically refers to a situation where numerical results are near each other, often in a competition. "Similar outcome" is a broader term describing results that are alike in nature or effect, but not necessarily numerically close.