close playing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close playing" is not a standard expression in written English and may cause confusion.
It could potentially be used in contexts related to music or sports, but it is not widely recognized or accepted. Example: "The musicians engaged in close playing, harmonizing beautifully with one another."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Viv Anderson also came close, playing for Sheffield Wednesday in the first year of the Premiership - when their sponsor was Sanderson (which does, technically, feature his entire surname).

The Guardian - Sport

But the World Cup is the ultimate and I feel like I'm so close, playing in the Premier League, about to play in an FA Cup final".

The Guardian - Sport

David Phillips also came close playing for Philips-sponsored Manchester City in the mid-80s, though in those days there were no player names on the back of shirts.

The Guardian - Sport

Born 18 months apart, they remained close, playing football together for the Clifton (New Jersey) Junior Mustangs and the Clifton High School varsity and later, working for Cantor Fitzgerald.

The New York Times

Lions fans saw their team, which has yet to score an offensive touchdown this season, win again by staying close, playing rugged defense and making game-swinging plays in the end.

The New York Times - Sports

Viewers could, for example, adjust the displays to be more more bent while sat up close playing a video game but more flat when watching sport with others.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

We've come close, played well in patches, but ultimately we've lost these close games.

Independent

A common exercise at umpire clinics is to blindfold students and have them call close plays at first base.

The New York Times - Sports

He took in this information as evenly as he took in everything — fastballs, sharp grounders, close plays at the plate.

The New York Times - Health

Vancouver gave a challenge last night and was the closest played game so far this year in my opinion.

The Guardian - Sport

Energy dissipation was largely dependent on strain, obtained with very high tidal volumes, but also lung inhomogeneities and lung opening and closing played a significant role.

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close playing", ensure the context is clear. Specify what 'playing' refers to (e.g., "close playing a video game" or "close to playing professionally") to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "close playing" without clarifying the type of activity. The phrase can be vague if the specific game, sport, or activity isn't apparent from the surrounding text.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "close playing" is adjectival, modifying a noun (implied or explicit) to describe a state of nearness or intensity. Ludwig suggests it indicates proximity to participation or the nature of gameplay.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "close playing" describes a situation where someone is near to participating in an activity, or to describe intense, closely-matched gameplay. While grammatically acceptable, its meaning can be ambiguous without context. Ludwig AI notes it is not a standard expression, which might cause confusion. To ensure clarity, specify the type of activity. Alternatives like "almost playing" or "nearly participating" may provide more precision depending on the situation. Its register is neutral, appearing mostly in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost playing

A simpler and more direct way of saying nearly playing.

nearly participating

Focuses on the aspect of almost taking part in something.

on the verge of playing

Emphasizes the imminence of starting to play.

nearing participation

Similar to 'nearly participating' but perhaps a bit more formal.

approaching gameplay

Highlights the progression toward active play.

about to play

Indicates that the action of playing is expected to start soon.

close to competing

Replaces 'playing' with 'competing', suitable for competitive contexts.

verging on participation

Highlights being on the edge of active involvement.

in proximity to playing

A more formal and spatially descriptive alternative.

within reach of playing

Emphasizes the attainability of playing.

FAQs

What does "close playing" mean?

"Close playing" generally refers to being near to participating in a game or activity, or engaging in intense, closely-matched gameplay. Its exact meaning depends on the context.

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

You might say, "He's "close to playing" in the finals," meaning he's likely to participate. Alternatively, it could describe the style of play: "The teams engaged in "a close game"."

What can I say instead of "close playing"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "almost playing", "nearly participating", or describe it as a "tight game".

Is "close playing" formal or informal?

The phrase "close playing" is generally informal and is more suitable for casual conversation or news reports than formal academic writing.