close strong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close strong" is not correct and usable in written English.
Instead, you could use the phrase "end strongly," which means to finish an endeavor or task with maximum effort or success. For example, "We must end strongly if we are to achieve our goals."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

All that was left for Johnson to do was close strong.

The New York Times - Sports

A person involved in the deal said, "Len played his cards close, strong, and smart.

The New Yorker

"We will close strong," said Brian McCabe, PFA president and an employee of the lobbying firm, DCI Group, LLC.

The Washington Post

"Over here — put in potato — close — strong," a centenarian named Anastasia instructed, pinching dumplings shut with practiced rhythm.

The New Yorker

But he still managed to close strong with three birdies and a single bogey on the back nine.

The Washington Post

"The hierarchy has taken a very personal, close, strong thing and just thrown it in the gutter," Mr. Breslin said on Friday, calling the cardinals in Rome "14 old, white-haired men in dresses telling people over here how to live".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"The relatively strong selling rate seen in October suggests that the fourth quarter may close stronger than previously expected," said Jeff Schuster, head of forecasting at J.D. Power & Associates.

The New York Times

USC: Top recruiter Tee Martin helped Steve Sarkisian and the Trojans close stronger than arguably any program in the country, as the school landed cornerback Adoree Jacksonn, athlete JuJu Smith and offensive guard Damien Mama — all local products.

Huffington Post

But Obama closed strong.

The New Yorker

But closing strong is nothing new for Reed.

The New York Times

But the Shock is the defending champion and closed strong.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a powerful conclusion, consider using more grammatically accepted alternatives like "finish strongly" or "end on a high note".

Common error

Avoid using ungrammatical phrases like "close strong" in formal writing. Though prevalent, their incorrect structure can undermine your message's credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close strong" functions as a verb-adjective combination, aiming to describe the manner of concluding an activity. However, Ludwig AI marks this phrase as incorrect, suggesting the need for grammatically sound alternatives.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "close strong" is used relatively frequently across varied sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. Although the intention is clear – to convey ending something with significant effort and success – writers should opt for more grammatically sound alternatives like "finish strongly" or "end on a high note". These alternatives provide clarity and credibility while maintaining the spirit of a powerful conclusion. Given its common yet technically flawed usage, it's crucial to choose words that reinforce your message's impact without sacrificing grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finish strongly

A more grammatically sound alternative, emphasizing a powerful conclusion.

end on a high note

Implies concluding with success and positivity.

conclude emphatically

Highlights a forceful and decisive ending.

complete with vigor

Focuses on the energy and enthusiasm of the completion.

culminate impressively

Stresses the admirable nature of the final result.

seal the deal

Suggests finalizing an agreement or achievement successfully.

wrap up successfully

Emphasizes the positive outcome of the concluding actions.

nail the ending

An informal way to describe achieving a perfect finish.

finish with a flourish

Conveys a showy and impressive conclusion.

deliver a knockout punch

Implies a final, decisive action that guarantees success.

FAQs

What does "close strong" mean?

While not grammatically correct, "close strong" generally means to finish something with great effort or success. Consider using alternatives like "finish strongly" or "end on a high note".

Is "close strong" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "close strong" isn't grammatically sound in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "finish strongly" or "conclude emphatically" instead.

What can I say instead of "close strong" in a business context?

In a professional setting, use alternatives such as "seal the deal" or "wrap up successfully" to convey a successful completion of a task or negotiation.

How can I use "finish strongly" in a sentence?

You can use "finish strongly" in a sentence like, "The team needs to finish strongly in the last quarter to win the game." This correctly conveys the intended meaning of a powerful conclusion.