close to closure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to closure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is nearing completion or resolution. Example: "After months of negotiations, we are finally close to closure on the deal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"We were close to closure last year," said the museum's executive director, Timothy Harley.

The New York Times

Maybe more so than in those places, this small community is nowhere close to closure months later.

The Washington Post

The move has reignited fears about the long-term future of the National Media Museum, which came close to closure in 2013.

The Guardian

The move has reignited fears over the long-term future of the National Media Museum, which sailed perilously close to closure in 2013.

The Guardian

The renowned American Schwinn brand was downgraded to the mass market by its new owners following bankruptcy, and Britain's Raleigh came close to closure because of high debts and poor returns, saved only by a last-minute management buyout.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The MP for Bradford South, Judith Cummins, said the museum, which came close to closure in 2013, was a "northern cultural treasure" and she had sought assurances about its future from the new culture secretary, Karen Bradley, last month.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

JW: Did this provide a step closer to closure or is it just an ongoing journey?

The Guardian - Film

Those calls from the planes also afforded a few seconds to exchange last words with loved ones -- not much solace, but something closer to closure than they would have had otherwise.

The New York Times - Tech

You can, of course, make things worse, by ignoring him, judging him, confronting him, avoiding him, talking about him behind his back, or telling him some version of "enough, already!" As they say, the only way out of it is through it — so giving your colleague an opportunity to go through his emotional experience will actually move him closer to closure.

Harvard Business Review

Last week, the only abortion clinic in Mississippi got one step closer to closure.

Vice

Bills Chick at ChicksInTheHuddle.cOr.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close to closure" when you want to emphasize that a process, negotiation, or emotional issue is nearing its end or resolution. It's particularly effective when discussing complex or protracted situations.

Common error

Avoid using "close to closure" when the matter is fully resolved. This phrase indicates nearness, not actual completion. Instead, use "resolved", "completed", or "finalized" when the issue is definitively concluded.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to closure" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or verb, indicating a state of nearing completion or resolution. Ludwig AI indicates this expression is grammatically correct and usable. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "close to closure" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to indicate that something is nearing completion or resolution. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides diverse examples. Predominantly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, it conveys a sense of anticipation for a final outcome. While "close to closure" is widely accepted, it's essential to differentiate it from complete resolution and to choose more precise terms when finality has been achieved. Understanding its appropriate usage ensures clear and effective communication in professional and academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearing completion

Focuses on the process of finishing something.

approaching resolution

Emphasizes the solving of a problem or conflict.

on the verge of completion

Highlights the imminence of finishing.

drawing to a close

Suggests a natural ending or conclusion.

on the cusp of resolution

Implies being at the very edge of solving something.

reaching finality

Focuses on achieving a state of being final and complete.

in the home stretch

An idiomatic expression for the final part of a process.

coming to fruition

Suggests that something is developing and about to be realized.

nearing final stages

Highlights that the last steps are being taken.

on the brink of resolution

Implies a critical point just before solving something.

FAQs

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

You can use "close to closure" to describe situations nearing an end, like: "After months of negotiations, we are finally "close to closure" on the deal." or "The investigation is "close to closure", with a verdict expected soon."

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

Alternatives include "nearing completion", "approaching resolution", or "on the verge of completion", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "close to a closure"?

While grammatically understandable, "close to a closure" is less common and idiomatic than "close to closure". The latter is generally preferred for its conciseness and established usage.

What's the difference between "close to closure" and "achieving closure"?

"Close to closure" indicates that the process is nearing its end, but not yet finalized. "Achieving closure" implies that the process is complete and a sense of finality has been reached. For example, you can use achieve closure after a long period of grief.