close parallel with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close parallel with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or concept that is very similar or analogous to another. Example: "The findings of this study show a close parallel with previous research conducted in the same field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Mr Crook continues:The best way to defend liberal trade to sceptics, I think, is always to emphasise the close parallel with technological progress.

The Economist

Public-health officials like Hemenway can point to a mountain of research going back 40 years that shows that the incidence of firearm suicide runs in close parallel with the prevalence of firearms in a community.

The New York Times - Magazine

Creditors to the original company also suffer losses – with the full extent determined by how much value the F.D.I.C. can recover; again, a close parallel with bankruptcy, but the F.D.I.C. is in charge, not a bankruptcy court judge.

The New York Times

There is a close parallel with drone warfare, which is similarly cheaper and less risky than its flesh-and-blood counterpart.This is an argument for governments to be selective about how they use cyber-weapons not to withdraw them.

The Economist

The invention of agriculture and the advent of settled society merely swapped high mortality for high morbidity, allowing people some relief from chronic warfare so they could at least grind out an existence, rather than being ground out of existence altogether.Notice a close parallel with the industrial revolution.

The Economist

This vision, and its effect on Joseph are a close parallel with the vision of Paul on the Damascus Road.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

This psychological change of perspective has close parallels with the more dramatic "ego dissolution" that happens during a psychedelic experience.

The Guardian

Minnesota's present stand-off is attracting lots of attention thanks to the close parallels with the battle currently under way in Washington, DC.

The Economist

Like the Prophet Muhammad, whose biography he frequently noted as having close parallels with his own, the Shaykh carried out a hijrah (migration) to Gudu, 30 miles (48 km) to the northwest, in February 1804.

Britannica

Despite the rich structural and magnetic chemistry of cobalt II) carboxylates, which have close parallels with many known single-molecule magnets, little work has been undertaken in this area to date.

Comprehensive Inorganic Chemistry II From Elements to Applications

There are certainly close parallels with the situation that prevailed in the U.S. in the early 1980s.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close parallel with", ensure that the compared elements share significant attributes and that the comparison adds meaningful insight. Avoid using it for superficial similarities.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the degree of similarity between two things. Using "close parallel with" implies a strong connection, so ensure the evidence supports this claim. Do not use it when only minor similarities exist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close parallel with" functions as a prepositional phrase used to establish a strong comparison or analogy between two distinct entities or concepts. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use across various domains to highlight significant similarities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "close parallel with" effectively draws connections between similar concepts or situations. Ludwig's analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for formal, neutral, and professional contexts. While not as common as simpler alternatives like ""strong similarity to"", it offers a precise way to highlight structured relationships, particularly in analytical writing. Remember to avoid overstating the similarities and use the phrase judiciously to maintain clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strong similarity to

Emphasizes the similarity rather than the parallel nature.

marked resemblance to

Highlights a noticeable likeness.

significant correspondence with

Focuses on the alignment or correlation between two things.

striking analogy to

Suggests a parallel that is noteworthy or impressive.

close analogy to

The alternative focuses on analogy instead of parallelism.

bears a strong resemblance to

Replaces "parallel" with "resemblance", emphasizing visual similarity.

parallels significantly with

This emphasizes the mirroring and connection between the subjects.

closely mirrors

Indicates a reflection or imitation of one thing by another.

shows considerable overlap with

Highlights the areas of intersection or commonality.

aligns closely with

Emphasizes the arrangement in a line or the support of a cause.

FAQs

What does "close parallel with" mean?

The phrase "close parallel with" indicates a strong similarity or correspondence between two or more things. It suggests that they share significant characteristics or follow a similar pattern.

How can I use "close parallel with" in a sentence?

You can use it to compare concepts, events, or situations. For example: "The current economic crisis has a "strong similarity to" the Great Depression" or "Her artistic style "aligns closely with" that of Van Gogh".

What are some alternatives to "close parallel with"?

Alternatives include phrases like "bears a strong resemblance to", "significant correspondence with", "striking analogy to", or "closely mirrors". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "close parallel with" or ""strong similarity to""?

Both phrases are valid, but they emphasize different aspects. "Close parallel with" highlights the structured relationship between two things, whereas ""strong similarity to"" simply indicates a high degree of likeness. Choose the phrase that best fits the context.