close to close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to close" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts discussing proximity or similarity, but it is generally unclear without additional context. Example: "The two proposals are close to close in terms of budget and scope."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"It's not close to close".

The New York Times

Then came the 2008 race, and the vote in New Mexico wasn't close to close.

The New York Times

"There is a sense of urgency on both sides," he added, noting that the earlier talks to agree a new Safe Harbor deal had been "pretty close to close" before the ECJ ruling landed.

TechCrunch

Automattic has also commented to Wilcox on the story, saying that, while the company doesn't have an exact estimate for how many Spaces bloggers will move over to WordPress.com in the next 6 months, it has seen close to close to 50,000 migrations in the first 48 hours, which it deems "very promising".

TechCrunch

Tap close to close an article.

WikiHow

Click "Close" to close down the app.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Now, it's close to closing a seed round of funding.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Those factories came close to closing in the Nineties, when the company suffered financial difficulties.

Independent

Most important, we have a few partnership deals that are close to closing.

The New York Times

Any gains made in recent years do not come even remotely close to closing that gap.

The New York Times - Books

And the Chicago Mercantile Exchange is close to closing its acquisition of the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close to close", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean 'near to closing' or 'near to each other'. Rewording can often enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "close to close" if a more precise term like "nearly identical" or "very similar" would better convey your intended meaning. Clarity is crucial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to close" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, indicating a state of near proximity or similarity. Its grammatical function depends heavily on the context in which it's used. Ludwig examples range from describing the state of a deal to physical proximity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

36%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "close to close" is used to indicate proximity, either in terms of physical distance, time, or similarity. While grammatically acceptable, its usage is uncommon and potentially ambiguous. As Ludwig AI suggests, more precise alternatives like "nearly closing", "very similar", or "almost finished" may provide greater clarity. Its usage spans news media and wikis, indicating a neutral register, but careful consideration of context is essential to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly closing

Emphasizes the state of being almost at the point of closing.

approaching closure

Highlights the process of nearing a state of closure.

on the verge of closing

Indicates being at the immediate threshold of closing.

about to close

Suggests an imminent closing action.

nearing completion

Focuses on the idea of almost being finished or completed.

drawing to a close

Implies a gradual movement toward the end.

nearing the end

A general phrase indicating the proximity to the final stage.

almost finished

Stresses the nearness to completion.

close to completion

Similar to 'almost finished' but potentially applicable in a wider array of contexts.

tight to tight

This is a paraphrase-synonym expressing the same idea of very close relationship.

FAQs

What does "close to close" mean?

The meaning of "close to close" depends on the context. It can mean "nearly closing" or "very near to each other". Always consider the surrounding words to understand the intended meaning.

How can I avoid ambiguity when using "close to close"?

To avoid ambiguity, consider using clearer alternatives like "nearly closing" or "very similar", depending on the context.

Is "close to close" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "close to close" can be awkward. Ludwig AI marks it as having acceptable but potentially unclear usage. Using more common synonyms enhances clarity.

What are some alternatives to "close to close"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "almost finished", "nearing completion", or "very similar".