close though

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close though" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is nearly accurate or true, often in a contrasting context. Example: "Your answer was close though, but not quite what I was looking for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It's pretty close, though".

The New York Times - Sports

He is close, though, to his mother.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Up close, though, the album's got plenty of surprise.

The New York Times - Arts

Get close, though, and the surface is wrinkled and creased.

The Guardian

Rivera was close, though, with a WHIP of.833 in 60 innings.

The New York Times - Sports

Whatever is waiting to pounce will not be close, though, to what we witnessed in 2007.

The Guardian - Money

Up close though, it's the old, handcrafted ice yachts that draw attention.

The New York Times - Travel

Mr. Bayh admits the race will probably be close, though, even as he vows to prevail.

The New York Times

Once you get up close, though, you realise the resemblance is only skin deep.

The Guardian - Tech

"It was close, though, like they were just a fraction off, missing them by an inch or two.

The New York Times - Sports

Didn't even come close, though, to the animated call from the Louisville football coach Charlie Strong at the Derby.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close though" to indicate that something almost meets a certain condition or standard, but falls slightly short. It's effective for creating nuanced comparisons.

Common error

Avoid overusing "close though" in highly formal or academic writing. While grammatically sound, it can sometimes sound too casual. Consider more formal alternatives like "nearly, however" or "almost, nevertheless".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "close though" is to act as a conjunctional phrase, connecting two clauses while indicating a near miss or approximation. Ludwig shows its use in various contexts, often highlighting a contrast.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close though" is a versatile conjunctional phrase used to express that something nearly meets a condition or standard. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media. While suitable for general use, it's best to avoid it in highly formal writing, opting for alternatives like "nearly, however". The phrase's effectiveness lies in its ability to add nuance to comparisons and assessments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly, however

Emphasizes the proximity while directly contrasting with the actual outcome.

almost, nevertheless

Indicates a high degree of approximation despite the difference.

approaching, yet

Highlights the act of getting closer while still acknowledging a separation.

in the vicinity, but

Focuses on spatial closeness, contrasting with the actual location.

not far off, still

Emphasizes a small remaining distance despite progress.

getting there, even so

Highlights the ongoing process of nearing a goal, with a contrasting element.

on the verge, albeit

Emphasizes being at the edge of something, acknowledging a contrast.

akin, however

Stresses similarity and resemblance, with a contrasting element.

resembling, yet

Focuses on the act of resembling something, while acknowledging a difference.

bordering on, but

Highlights being close to a certain state or condition while differing.

FAQs

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

You can use "close though" to indicate that something nearly meets a condition or standard. For instance, "The answer was "close though", not quite right."

What are some alternatives to "close though"?

Alternatives include phrases like "almost but not quite", "nearly however", or "approaching yet", depending on the specific context.

Is "close though" considered formal or informal?

"Close though" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for news articles and general conversation. It might be less appropriate for highly formal academic writing.

What is the difference between "close though" and "nearly right"?

"Close though" implies a slight shortfall from a standard, while "nearly right" specifically refers to the accuracy of something. The former is more versatile across different contexts.