close time

USAGE SUMMARY

"close time" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the time when an establishment, such as a store or restaurant, is set to close. For example, "We need to finish up quickly; it's close time in an hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Without that close time, he says, "I would lose my soul as well as my skills".

The Guardian

During "close time," an afternoon recess reserved for indoor recreation, he staged a pared-down version of the song.

The New Yorker

Leather couches and cocktails start the evening, R&B and ethnic lounge take it to the 4am close time.

The Guardian - Travel

Other factors are door open and close time, loading and unloading time, acceleration rate, and deceleration rate, which must be swift but gentle.

The New Yorker

"We will move The Week's close time either a day earlier or a couple of days later to ensure the magazine our readers receive is just as timely after the change as it is now," Mr. Kotok said.

The New York Times

Angel was placed on a table at their home, in a coffin he had made, with candles around her. "It was awful, but it was a close time for us".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Now, Ruiz says, they are able to take similarly close time-lapse images of living fish as they grow to study facial development at the cellular level.

Science Magazine

Now, Ruiz says, they are able to take similarly close time-lapse images of living fish as they grow using something called confocal microscopy.

Science Magazine

An advantage of a close time-spacing of the model is to provide time series whose trends can be studied in the usual way.

Earth, Planets and Space

This close time-line itself raises questions.

Huffington Post

Personally, I got too comfortable pissin' in front of porkchops and started getting high all the time, and pushin' it really close time-wise with the producing of the clean piss.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close time" to refer to the period immediately preceding the end of a scheduled activity or operation, especially where precision or brevity is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "close time" when you mean the exact moment of closure; instead, use "closing time" or "end time" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close time" primarily functions as a noun phrase that often acts as an adverbial modifier, specifying when an action or event takes place in relation to a closing or concluding event. As Ludwig AI suggests, its usage is generally considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close time" is a grammatically correct noun phrase that refers to a period near the end of an event or activity. While not as common as "closing time", it's found in various contexts, especially in science and news media. According to Ludwig, it serves to indicate temporal proximity and is best used when specifying actions occurring near a scheduled end. Ludwig AI analysis and the diverse examples demonstrate its acceptability and utility in both general and technical writing, though care should be taken not to confuse it with the precise moment of "closing time".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

closing time

Direct synonym, commonly used in reference to business hours ending. No change in meaning.

end time

Directly indicates the time something will finish, without focusing on closeness.

near time

Indicates proximity in time, focusing on closeness rather than completion.

proximate time

Similar to "near time", emphasizes the nearness or immediacy of a point in time.

time of completion

Focuses on the moment something finishes or concludes. More formal.

completing time

Highlights the phase where something is coming to an end, focusing on the action of completing.

final hour

Indicates the last segment of a period, often implying urgency or finality.

complete time

Refers to a duration that is fully utilized, emphasizing entirety rather than closeness to an end.

moment of conclusion

Emphasizes a definitive ending, rather than a period near closure.

time of termination

Suggests a formal ending or cessation. More rigid.

FAQs

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

You can use "close time" to refer to a period just before an event concludes, such as "The researchers took several measurements in "close time proximity" to the experiment's end".

What's a good alternative to "close time"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "close time" include "closing time", "near time", or "proximate time".

Is "close time" the same as "closing time"?

While similar, "close time" often refers to a period leading up to the end, whereas "closing time" typically signifies the exact moment of cessation of operation.

Can "close time" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "close time" can be used in formal writing, particularly in scientific or technical contexts where describing events occurring near a specific endpoint is necessary. However, "time of completion" may sound more formal.