close to 3

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to 3" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating an approximate quantity or time that is near the number 3. Example: "The meeting will start close to 3, so please be on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The silicon content was close to 3 at.%.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Some experts predict close to 3 million in 2009.

Forbes

But we're also seeing close to 3 million square feet of subleased space.

TechCrunch

Values of the exponent n close to 3 were obtained, independently of Tc and composition.

Polymer

When I woke up it was close to 3 am.

Vice

Real polenta takes close to 3 hours to make and Anson Mills is a great product.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

By 2020 the ratio will drop to close to 3-to-1.

Forbes

Close to 3,000 Lumad villagers fled after the executions.

The Guardian

We had close to 3,000 people come through the doors that day.

The Guardian - Books

He is an iconic player, and will probably be close to 3,000 hits entering 2010.

The New York Times - Sports

The numerical value of a12, as obtained by refined calculations, is close to 3/5.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close to 3", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean slightly above or below the number three. For greater precision, specify 'just above 3' or 'just below 3' if needed.

Common error

Avoid using "close to 3" when a more precise number is available. If you know the exact value (e.g., 2.9 or 3.1), use it instead of approximating with "close to 3".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to 3" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by providing an approximation. It's used to indicate a quantity, time, or value that is near but not exactly three, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close to 3" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, employed to indicate an approximate value, quantity, or time near the number three. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its frequency is uncommon. It appears in various contexts, including news, science, and general conversation. For more precise communication, consider specifying whether the value is slightly above or below three. Alternatives include "nearly 3" and "almost 3", offering subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly 3

Indicates a quantity that is slightly less than three.

almost 3

Similar to 'nearly', suggesting a value just below three.

around 3

Suggests an approximate value in the vicinity of three.

approximately 3

Formally indicates a value that is not exactly three but very close.

in the neighborhood of 3

An idiomatic expression for an approximate value.

in the vicinity of 3

Similar to 'in the neighborhood of', indicating an approximate value.

just under 3

Specifies that the value is slightly less than three.

not quite 3

Emphasizes that the value is less than three, but approaching it.

approaching 3

Indicates a value that is moving toward three.

in the range of 2 to 4

Provides a broader range that includes values around three.

FAQs

What does "close to 3" mean?

The phrase "close to 3" means approximately 3, indicating a value that is near but not exactly 3. It suggests a quantity or measurement that is either slightly more or slightly less than 3.

What can I say instead of "close to 3"?

You can use alternatives like "nearly 3", "almost 3", or "around 3" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "close to 3" or should I say "close to three"?

Both "close to 3" and "close to three" are grammatically correct and acceptable. The choice depends on your preference, with numerals (3) being more common in technical or statistical contexts and the spelled-out version (three) being more common in general writing.

How do I use "close to 3" in a sentence?

You can use "close to 3" to indicate an approximate quantity. For example, "The meeting will start "around 3"," or "The silicon content was "nearly 3" at.%."