close suburb

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close suburb" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a suburb that is near to a particular location, often a city or town center. Example: "I live in a close suburb of the city, making my commute to work very convenient."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Five locations, ranging from quietly to raucously casual, include the close suburb of Addison and the more distant Frisco.

The New York Times

Inn By The Sea is in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, a close suburb of Portland.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Schools in south Arlington are "exploding," she said, probably because it's one of the few close suburbs where younger families can still buy a home for less than $600,000.

The Washington Post

"For every 31 gallons that we brew, $7 goes to Uncle Sam," said Jeff Hancock, a co-founder of DC Brau, one of five craft breweries that have opened in the District of Columbia and its close suburbs in the last two years, joining dozens more in the rest of Virginia and Maryland.

The New York Times

This notion is further supported by the continued presence of Walgreen's headquarters in the close suburbs - now the world's largest pharmacy after its merger with Boots Alliance.

Forbes

The jobs attracted an influx of African Americans into Ferguson and other close suburbs of St . Louis

Huffington Post

It's not exactly in Paris proper but in the close suburbs of the capital.

HuffPost

These automated taxi systems get launched in the megacities of developed countries, spread to the close suburbs and then become connected to other cities in a hub-and-spoke network of autonomous highways, Jonas said.

Los Angeles Times

The study was carried out in Beirut and its close suburbs.

BMC Public Health

Parents had to reside in the Paris area or its close suburbs, and the mothers had to speak French.

Environmental Health Perspectives

All hospitals (26 private and 1 public) with maternity wards in the city and its close suburbs were considered eligible for enrollment.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close suburb" to specify that a suburban area is located near a city or major area, implying convenient access and potentially shared amenities.

Common error

Avoid using "close suburb" when a more precise term like "inner suburb" or a specific location name would provide clearer information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close suburb" functions primarily as a descriptive term, modifying a noun to specify its location. It indicates a suburb is situated near an urban center, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close suburb" is a grammatically sound and acceptable way to describe a suburban area near a city, as confirmed by Ludwig. While relatively rare in occurrence, it effectively conveys spatial proximity and accessibility. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral register suitable for informative writing. When using "close suburb", consider whether more specific terms like "inner suburb" might provide greater clarity. Ludwig’s examples demonstrate how "close suburb" functions to add context about location.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearby suburb

Focuses on the proximity without necessarily implying a tight-knit community.

adjacent suburb

Suggests the suburb shares a border or is immediately next to the city.

neighboring suburb

Highlights the geographical proximity, emphasizing it's in the vicinity.

proximate suburb

More formal way of saying nearby, suitable for professional contexts.

inner suburb

Implies being closer to the city center compared to outer suburbs.

suburb in close proximity

Emphasizes the short distance or nearness to a specific location.

suburb near to

Simple and direct alternative, denoting vicinity.

adjoining suburb

Indicates the suburb touches or connects to the main area.

suburb located nearby

Focuses on the suburb's location in relation to another place.

easily accessible suburb

Highlights ease of reaching the suburb from a particular point.

FAQs

What does the term "close suburb" mean?

A "close suburb" refers to a residential area located near a city or urban center, usually implying easy access and a shorter commute.

What can I say instead of "close suburb"?

You can use alternatives like "nearby suburb", "adjacent suburb", or "inner suburb" depending on the context.

How does "close suburb" differ from "distant suburb"?

"Close suburb" implies a shorter distance and easier commute to the city, while "distant suburb" suggests the opposite – a longer distance and potentially a more rural setting.

Is it correct to use "close-in suburb" instead of "close suburb"?

Yes, "close-in suburb" is also a correct and commonly used variation. Both phrases convey the same meaning of a suburb being near a city center.