close to me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to me" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to something near one's physical location, or close to one's heart (emotionally). For example, you might say: My family is always close to me, no matter how many miles away I am.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"These restaurants are very close to me".

The New York Times - Food

He leaned close to me, and whispered.

The New Yorker

It's too close to me.

The New York Times - Magazine

He seemed close to me.

The New York Times

People that were close to me before the music came out are still close to me.

The New York Times

"Hannity isn't even close to me".

The New York Times - Magazine

They don't get close to me".

The New York Times - Sports

That's something that's close to me".

The Guardian - Sport

"His father was very close to me.

The New York Times - Sports

He sits entirely too close to me.

The New York Times - Magazine

And he's awful close to me.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close to me" to describe emotional connection, ensure the context clearly indicates the nature of the relationship (e.g., family, friends, experiences).

Common error

Avoid using "close to me" solely for physical proximity when the intended meaning is emotional connection. Use more specific language to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to me" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. It indicates a state of being near, either physically or emotionally. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close to me" is a versatile prepositional phrase that expresses either physical proximity or emotional significance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts but is also prevalent in science and general discourse. When using this phrase, be mindful of the intended meaning—physical nearness or emotional connection—and ensure the context clarifies your intent. Alternatives such as "near to me" or ""dear to me"" can provide greater precision depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dear to me

Expresses affection or importance.

near to my heart

Emphasizes emotional significance rather than physical nearness.

important to me

Highlights the significance or value something holds for the speaker.

of great importance to me

Highlights the high value or significance something holds.

personally meaningful to me

Stresses the individual relevance and impact.

in close proximity to me

Focuses on spatial nearness, often in a formal context.

in my vicinity

Focuses on physical proximity or immediate surroundings.

intimately connected with me

Highlights a strong emotional or personal bond.

within my personal space

Refers to the area immediately surrounding someone.

someone I cherish

Highlights the deep affection and value for a person.

FAQs

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

You can use "close to me" to indicate physical proximity, as in "He was standing "near me"", or emotional connection, as in "My family is very "dear to me"".

What's the difference between "close to me" and "closer to me"?

"Close to me" indicates a current state of nearness, while "closer to me" suggests a movement or comparison, implying something is approaching or becoming nearer. For example, "He is "close to me"" versus "He is getting "closer to me"".

What are some alternatives to saying something is "close to me"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "important to me", ""dear to me"", "near to me", or "in my vicinity".

Is it correct to say "closed to me" instead of "close to me"?

While "close to me" indicates nearness or affection, "closed to me" suggests something is inaccessible or forbidden. They have opposite meanings and cannot be used interchangeably.