close round

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close round" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be an attempt to convey a concept, but it lacks clarity and proper usage. Example: "Please close the round of discussions before we move on to the next agenda item."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

We are all close round here and we have lived in this community for around 40 years.

The Guardian

"Even the least gullible of them sometimes find it difficult to disregard the psychological seed he's planted, especially in a close round".

The New York Times - Sports

Records show that Edward Cook was tenant of this farm in 1627, and list field names – bean close, round grove, east mead and (down in a muddier area) lower pudding ground – that were in use before Cook's time and which survive today.

The Guardian

Finally, the as-spun samples were pretreated at 1,200 °C in a close round alumina crucible with a graphite inwall, i.e., a carbothermal environment, for 1 h, and then annealed at 1,250 °C for another hour.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Close round.

Los Angeles Times

Very close round.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

There were a slew of close rounds in a slow start.

The Guardian - Sport

There were a lot of close rounds, the third, seventh and 11th most obvious among them.

The Guardian - Sport

Sure, people want to close rounds with brand name funds like Sequoia and Andreessen Horowitz because they validate startups.

TechCrunch

After ten close rounds, Kentikian won via split decision.

Wikipedia

Bradley did start to establish a strategy, but Pacquiao will get the close rounds by the tiniest of margins.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing competitive scenarios, particularly in sports, clarify whether you mean 'close' in the sense of proximity (nearness in location) or 'close' in the sense of a tight competition. For example, use "closely contested" or "tight round" to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "close" as an adverb modifying "round" when you mean "closely". "Close" primarily functions as an adjective or verb. Instead of "close round", use "closely contested round" or another clearer alternative to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close round" functions as a descriptive term, often used in sports reporting, particularly in combat sports like boxing and MMA, to indicate a round where competitors are evenly matched. Ludwig AI indicates this usage may not be grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "close round" is used to describe a closely contested segment in a competition, often in sports like boxing or MMA. However, Ludwig AI indicates that it is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. While common in news and media contexts, alternatives like "tight round" or "closely contested round" are recommended for better clarity and grammatical accuracy. When writing, be mindful of this distinction and consider more precise phrasing to effectively convey the intended meaning of a tightly contested competition segment. Use "closely contested" rather than modifying the word "round" with the adjective close.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tight round

Emphasizes the competitiveness and narrow margin in a match or competition.

neck and neck

Highlights the evenness and close proximity in a race or competition.

closely contested round

More explicitly describes a round in a competition where the opponents are very evenly matched.

even round

Simple and direct way to indicate that a round was balanced and neither side gained a clear advantage.

undecided round

Indicates the round could go either way.

narrowly won round

This indicates that one participant won, but by a small margin.

a near tie

Implies the participants are close to drawing or being equal.

a photo finish

Suggests the ending was so close a photo was needed to determine the winner.

too close to call

The outcome is highly uncertain and difficult to predict.

razor-thin margin

Suggests an extremely small difference between participants.

FAQs

What does "close round" mean in sports?

In sports, especially combat sports like boxing or MMA, "close round" typically refers to a round where the competitors are very evenly matched, making it difficult to determine a clear winner. Better alternatives are "tight round" or "closely contested round".

How can I use "close" correctly to describe a competitive situation?

To correctly describe a competitive situation, use phrases like "closely contested", "tightly fought", or "neck and neck". Avoid using "close" directly as an adverbial modifier of "round". For example, use "even round" instead of "close round".

What are some alternatives to "close round"?

Alternatives include "tight round", "closely contested round", "even round", or "undecided round". The best choice depends on the specific context you're trying to describe.

Is "close round" grammatically correct?

While the phrase "close round" appears in some contexts, it's not considered standard English. It's better to use more precise and grammatically correct alternatives such as "closely contested round" to clearly convey your meaning.