close to insular

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to insular" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, mindset, or community that is somewhat isolated or lacking in openness to outside influences. Example: "The small town was close to insular, with residents rarely venturing beyond their familiar surroundings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Very close to insular.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

This common, benthic shark is found over continental and insular shelves, mostly close to shore but also to a depth of 150 m.

Wikipedia

It has a worldwide distribution, and has most commonly been recorded close to the bottom over continental and insular slopes, at depths of 500-1400 m.

Wikipedia

Yet, in the lab mainland individuals of both sexes spent about twice as much time close to a heat source (a light bulb) than insular ones.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The peaks of the activated areas in the middle insular cortex by umami were very close to another prototypical taste quality (salty).

Brain Research

This shark inhabits continental and insular shelves and slopes, where it swims close to the bottom.

Wikipedia

Found close to the sea floor, the bramble shark most commonly inhabits continental and insular shelves and slopes at depths of 400-900 m.

Wikipedia

This shark mainly inhabits the outer continental and insular shelves and upper slopes over mud or clay, from close to the bottom to the middle of the water column.

Wikipedia

Geographical expansion of the Sino-Tibetan-Austronesian family explains much of the distribution of modern japonica rice: from a nuclear area located in or near Henan, the family's eastern branch brought japonicas (still close to the original, tropical type) to the east China coast and from there south to Taiwan and on to insular southeast Asia.

Rice

In a city where people live so close to one another, it's baffling that an outbreak could stay confined to a specific population, even an insular population.

The New York Times

The bombing, close to Mr. Assad's own residence, called into question the ability of a government that depends on an insular group of loyalists to function effectively as it battles a strengthening opposition.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close to insular", ensure that the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to physical proximity or a conceptual similarity to insularity. The meaning can shift depending on the subject being described.

Common error

Avoid assuming that entities geographically "close to insular" regions are necessarily culturally or ideologically similar. Physical proximity doesn't automatically equate to shared insular traits.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to insular" functions primarily as a descriptive modifier. It indicates a state of proximity or resemblance to something that is "insular", meaning isolated or detached. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close to insular" is a descriptive term indicating proximity or resemblance to something that is isolated or detached. As Ludwig AI shows, it's used across a variety of contexts, including science, news, and general descriptions, with a neutral formality. While not extremely common, the phrase is grammatically correct and understandable. Related phrases include "nearly insular" and "bordering on insular", which offer similar nuances. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the context makes the intended meaning (physical or conceptual) clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly insular

Focuses on the degree of insularity, suggesting a state that is almost insular.

almost insular

Similar to 'nearly insular', this emphasizes the state being just short of complete insularity.

virtually insular

Similar to 'nearly insular', but implies a stronger degree of resemblance to insularity.

bordering on insular

Indicates that something is approaching the characteristic of being insular.

verging on insular

Similar to 'bordering on', it suggests an inclination toward insularity.

on the brink of insularity

Highlights that a state or entity is very near to becoming insular.

insular-adjacent

A playful term suggesting something is closely associated with insularity but not fully insular itself.

tending towards insularity

Emphasizes a direction or trend moving towards becoming insular.

inclined to insularity

Highlights a predisposition or leaning towards insularity.

tantamount to insular

Suggests equivalence in effect or consequence to being insular.

FAQs

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

You can use "close to insular" to describe something that is either geographically near an isolated region or conceptually similar to an insular mindset. For example: "The research station was located close to insular communities" or "Their viewpoints were close to insular, showing a lack of interest in external perspectives".

What does "close to insular" mean?

The phrase "close to insular" means either physically near an isolated or island-like area, or conceptually similar to the state of being isolated and detached from outside influences. It implies a state of being nearly, but not entirely, insular.

What are some alternatives to "close to insular"?

Alternatives to "close to insular" include "nearly insular", "almost insular", or "bordering on insular", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

In what contexts is "close to insular" commonly used?

"Close to insular" can be used in geographical contexts to describe locations near islands or isolated regions. It can also be used in social or political contexts to describe groups or ideas that are somewhat isolated from outside influences. The most common registers are academic research, news reporting, and general descriptions.