close to a master

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to a master" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is nearly at the level of expertise or skill of a master in a particular field or discipline. Example: "After years of practice, she felt she was finally close to a master in her craft."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He's pretty close to a master lyricist.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The journalists were mostly in their 20s, learning the basics: never get too close to a source; master the art of eating while driving; never rely on a hotel wake-up call.

The New York Times

It takes seconds to learn Sensi's controls – and nowhere close to a lifetime to master them.

Vice

Applicants must hold or be close to finishing a master's, doctoral, or law degree.

Harvard University

July 8-13: The seventy-eight-year-old pianist Barry Harris is as close to a first-generation bebop master as we've got.

The New Yorker

In many respects, it was a little closer to a Zen master versing his students in the discipline of pitching.

The New York Times - Sports

Until 2004, when Roger Copeland published his "Merce Cunningham: The Modernizing of Modern Dance," there was no critical book on this artist who has been recognized as a master for close to a half century.

The New Yorker

Enabling full sharing (α = 1), similar weights are assigned to every expert, and the master prediction fluctuates close to a mean value among the experts guesses.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

I hope Google starts doing this soon as well, simply because that's the closest thing to a master contact list that I have in the cloud.

TechCrunch

Perhaps the closest thing to a master document beyond the index cards is a 90-minute video of a Powerpoint presentation Straley and Druckmann gave to the company when pitching the project.

Los Angeles Times

According to team-mates he is close to mastering a back-spinner that hugs the turf and skids on to the batsman at an alarming pace, making it all but impossible to kick him away.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close to a master" to describe someone who has dedicated significant time and effort to a skill or field, and is nearly at the highest level of expertise. It implies a high degree of proficiency without claiming complete mastery.

Common error

Avoid using "close to a master" when describing someone who is merely competent or has only a basic understanding of the subject. This phrase implies a level of skill and experience that should be genuinely present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to a master" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun (usually a person) to indicate that they possess a skill level that is nearing that of a master. As Ludwig AI points out, it signifies a high level of proficiency.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "close to a master" is a descriptive phrase used to characterize someone who is approaching the highest level of skill in a particular domain. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a grammatically correct and usable expression, although its usage is relatively rare. The phrase is most frequently encountered in News & Media contexts, but also found in Academia and Science. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the individual's advanced skill level without overstating their expertise. Alternatives such as "nearing mastery" or "almost a master" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost a master

A more direct and concise way of expressing near-mastery.

nearly a master

Similar to "almost a master", but with a slightly different connotation.

nearing mastery

Focuses on the process of approaching mastery, rather than the state of being close.

approaching expertise

Emphasizes the development of skill and knowledge.

coming close to mastery

Emphasizes the act of getting closer to a high level of skill.

on the verge of mastery

Highlights the imminence of achieving mastery.

within reach of mastery

Highlights the attainability of mastery.

attaining mastery soon

Focuses on the expected future achievement of mastery.

showing master-level skill

Highlights that a person is showing a skill comparable to a master.

demonstrating near-mastery

Emphasizes the act of demonstrating skills that are almost at a master level.

FAQs

How can I use "close to a master" in a sentence?

You can use "close to a master" to describe someone who is nearing the highest level of skill in a particular field. For example, "After years of practice, she is now "close to a master" in her craft."

What are some alternatives to saying "close to a master"?

Alternatives include "nearing mastery", "approaching expertise", or "almost a master" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "close to a master" or "a master"?

"Close to a master" suggests a high level of skill without claiming complete mastery. Use "a master" only when the individual has definitively reached the highest level of expertise. The distinction depends on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "close to a master"?

Use "close to a master" when someone possesses exceptional skill and extensive experience, but may still be refining their abilities. It acknowledges their advanced level without implying they have reached the absolute pinnacle of their field.