close race between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close race between" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a competitive situation where two or more entities are closely matched in performance or results. Example: "The election turned out to be a close race between the two candidates, with only a few hundred votes separating them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

So far in Kentucky, the polls show a close race between Mr Fletcher and Mrs Northup.

The Economist

But those polls that have been done continue to show exactly what the pre-storm polls revealed: a close race between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama.

The Guardian

As voters tuned in to a suddenly close race between two serious candidates, these charges about charges somehow became the fine point upon which the nomination teetered.

The New York Times - Magazine

In a close race between Senator George Allen, a Republican, and Jim Webb, the Democratic contender, Ms. Parker's withdrawal could determine whether Republicans retain their Senate majority.

The New York Times

Kate Rusby For me, it was a close race between Coldplay's Viva La Vida and Noah and the Whale's self-titled album.

Independent

This looks like being a close race between those Montenegrins ready for looser ties with Serbia and those who want no tie at all.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Though Deal, when elected, came in with a conservative voting record, he's shown more of a moderate touch as he represents a state that is trending more purple than red, as evidenced by the state being among one of the dozen relatively close races between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.

Huffington Post

Two polls in December indicated a closer race between the in and out camps, but there is an air of caution around published opinion polls in British politics after their failure to predict the 2015 general election result.

The Guardian

Other recent polls have showed a significantly closer race between Crist and Scott, including a January survey from the Democratic firm PPP that put Scott 2 points ahead.

Huffington Post

Preliminary projections had earlier suggested a close race for second between Mr. Kuczynski and Ms. Fujimori.

The New York Times

All signs point to a close race for U.S. Senate between incumbent Democrat Mark Udall and Republican Congressman Cory Gardner.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "close race between", ensure that the context clearly defines who or what is competing. Providing specific names or entities adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "close race between" in situations that do not involve direct competition. For instance, describing similar but unrelated events as a "close race" can be confusing and grammatically inappropriate. The phrase should primarily denote a head-to-head contest or comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close race between" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically acting as an adjective modifying a noun. It describes a competitive scenario where the participants are very closely matched. As Ludwig AI states, it follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "close race between" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe situations where the competition is tight and the outcome is uncertain. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent usage across various contexts, especially in news and media. It functions descriptively, informing the audience about the competitive intensity. For alternative phrasing, consider "tight contest between", or "neck and neck competition". Remember to use this phrase in competitive scenarios and avoid misapplication in non-competitive contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neck and neck competition

Replaces 'race' with 'competition' and uses the idiom 'neck and neck' to emphasize the closeness.

tight contest between

Substitutes 'race' with 'contest' and 'close' with 'tight' for a similar meaning.

narrow margin between

Focuses on the small difference or margin separating the competitors.

closely fought battle between

Emphasizes the struggle and intensity of the competition.

fierce rivalry between

Highlights the competitive nature and animosity (if any) between the entities.

nip and tuck situation between

Uses the idiom 'nip and tuck' to describe a situation where the lead changes frequently.

competitive standoff between

Suggests a balanced and intense situation where neither side is yielding.

photo finish contest between

Implies that the results are so close a photo is needed to determine the winner.

marginal difference between

Focuses on the insignificance of the gap between the competitors.

intense competition involving

Describes the general situation of being in a heated rivalry

FAQs

How can I use "close race between" in a sentence?

You can use "close race between" to describe any situation where two or more entities are in tight competition, such as "The polls indicated a "close race between" the two candidates" or "It was a "close race between" the top two teams in the league".

What are some alternatives to "close race between"?

Alternatives include "tight contest between", "neck and neck competition", or "fierce rivalry between", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "close race among" instead of "close race between"?

While "between" is generally used for two entities, "among" is used for three or more. Therefore, if you're describing a race with more than two competitors, "close race among" is grammatically correct. However, "close race between" can be used when focusing on the top two contenders even in a larger field.

What's the difference between a "close race" and a "landslide victory"?

A "close race" indicates a tight competition where the outcome is uncertain, while a "landslide victory" describes a situation where the winner has a significant and decisive lead over their competitors. They represent opposite ends of the competitive spectrum.