close to ideal

USAGE SUMMARY

"close to ideal" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that something is almost perfect or nearly ideal, but it isn't quite there yet. For example, you could say "The weather this week has been close to ideal."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Weather conditions were close to ideal.

The New York Times - Science

As first jobs go, camp counselor is close to ideal.

The New York Times

Your current site must be close to ideal.

The New York Times

Consequently, soil and weather conditions were close to ideal for soybean emergence.

Cornell University

It might be that Russia believes that the stalemate status quo is pretty close to ideal.

The Washington Post

Mildred and Richard Loving, the interracial couple, were close to ideal.

The New Yorker

It did not seem close to ideal being 6,000 miles away when Maia was bullied.

The New York Times - Sports

With a bit more stage ebullience, he would be close to ideal.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

In reality it is difficult to produce close-to-ideal springs.

ROBOMECH Journal

It appears that the homogeneity of the carrier substrate is critical for obtaining close-to-ideal surface pattern by laser light diffraction.

Nanoscale Research Letters

This strategy is called close-to-ideal dosage strategy.

BMC Medical Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close to ideal", consider specifying the aspect in which it falls short of being fully ideal to provide more context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "close to ideal" when the situation is significantly flawed. Reserve it for scenarios that genuinely approach a state of near-perfection to maintain credibility and avoid misleading the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to ideal" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a state that is nearly perfect. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close to ideal" is a grammatically sound adjectival phrase used to describe something that is almost perfect. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used in various contexts, particularly in scientific and news media. While it is considered to be neutrally registered and very common, it's important to remember that overstating perfection when something is only close to the ideal might undermine the perceived level of credibility. Instead, use "close to ideal" when a situation or result genuinely approaches a state of near-perfection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly perfect

This alternative uses a more direct synonym for "ideal", emphasizing the almost flawless nature.

almost ideal

This alternative replaces "close to" with "almost", offering a slightly more concise way to express the same concept.

close to optimal

This alternative uses the term "optimal" to emphasize that something is nearing the best possible outcome or condition.

approaching perfection

This alternative uses a verb to describe the movement towards an ideal state, focusing on the process rather than the state itself.

virtually ideal

This alternative highlights that something is ideal for all practical purposes, even if not absolutely so.

practically flawless

This alternative highlights the lack of significant flaws, suggesting a high degree of quality.

bordering on perfection

This alternative emphasizes the proximity to a state of perfection.

just about perfect

This alternative uses a more colloquial tone to convey near perfection.

nearing its best

This alternative suggests that something is approaching its optimal condition or performance.

in an ideal range

It denotes the situation when something is positioned within range of a desired outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "close to ideal" to describe a situation, condition, or result that is almost perfect but not quite. For example, "The weather for the outdoor concert was "close to ideal", with clear skies and a gentle breeze."

What are some alternatives to saying "close to ideal"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "nearly perfect", "almost ideal", or "approaching perfection" to express a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "close to ideal" or "perfect"?

Use "close to ideal" when something is very good but not flawless. "Perfect" implies an absence of any flaws, so "close to ideal" is more appropriate when there are minor imperfections.

What does "close to ideal" imply?

The phrase "close to ideal" implies that something is nearly the best possible outcome or condition. It suggests a high degree of satisfaction or suitability, while acknowledging that some minor imperfections may exist.