close to melting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to melting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is nearly at the point of melting, often in a literal sense regarding temperature or in a figurative sense regarding emotions or situations. Example: "The ice cream was left out in the sun for too long and was now close to melting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

These two players never came close to melting together: the difference between them remained distinct and fully engaging.

The New York Times - Arts

By imparting heat and relieving pressure, the impact of the meteoroid that formed the crater may have helped melt rocks that were already close to melting point.

The New York Times - Science

"Warm ice" is the term used by Professor Erland Schulson, of Dartmouth College's Thayer School of Engineering (Exit 13, Hanover, New Hampshire), for ice that is close to melting.

The New Yorker

His grilled pork tenderloin with ancho caramel ($18) comes very close to melting on the tongue, and even if the barbecued beans and chili-dusted onion rings that come on the side are a trifle over par, the fork keeps returning to the plate.

The New York Times - Food

The solid liquid interfacial energy has a lower value close to melting temperature and it reaches a maximum at some intermediate temperature.

Acta Materialia

Then the housing bubble burst and, in late September 2008, Wall Street came close to melting down; Americans were stunned and depressed, but few took to the streets.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Materials scientists have developed a new ceramic that's closer to melted mozzarella than bathroom tiles.

Science Magazine

At high temperatures, close to the melting point, phasons continually fluctuate, and atoms jump from place to place.

Encyclopedia Britannica

During the treatment at temperatures close to the melting temperatures the samples become semi-crystalline.

Polymer

Special designs are therefore necessary to avoid high peaking temperatures close to the melting point in the zirconia pellet.

Journal of Nuclear Materials

Yokoyama (2001a) showed that the hard sphere model could be successfully applied to calculate the sound velocities in liquid metals at 1 atm close to their melting temperatures.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical substances, use "close to melting" to convey that the substance is nearing its melting point but hasn't fully transitioned into a liquid state. Be specific about the substance and the conditions causing it to approach melting for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "close to melting" too loosely in figurative contexts. While it can effectively describe emotional or situational overwhelm, ensure the comparison to a physical melting process is still relevant and impactful, rather than a vague exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to melting" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its state or condition. It indicates that something is in a state of proximity to its melting point, whether literally or figuratively. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

54%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close to melting" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe a state nearing the melting point, both literally and figuratively. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable. While not exceptionally common, it appears in various contexts, including scientific and news-related articles. It is important to ensure the context aligns with the intended meaning, whether describing the physical state of a substance or the emotional state of a person. Be mindful of overusing it figuratively, and explore alternatives like "nearly melting" or "on the verge of melting" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly melting

Indicates a state very near to the melting process, suggesting the action is almost complete.

on the verge of melting

Emphasizes imminence, suggesting the melting process is about to begin or occur.

about to melt

A straightforward expression indicating the action will happen very soon.

approaching melting point

Focuses on the temperature aspect, indicating the subject is getting closer to the temperature at which it melts.

nearing liquefaction

Shifts the focus to the change of state, highlighting the process of becoming liquid.

almost liquefied

Similar to "nearly melting", this indicates the process is nearly complete.

in a softened state

Suggests a change in texture and consistency, approaching the fluidity of melting.

verging on collapse

Figuratively similar, implying a structure or system is nearly failing or breaking down.

bordering on disintegration

Implies a state close to falling apart, similar to melting in terms of structural integrity.

at melting temperature

Indicates the exact temperature where melting occurs, rather than the process of approaching it.

FAQs

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

You can use "close to melting" to describe a physical state (e.g., "The ice sculpture was close to melting in the summer heat") or a figurative state (e.g., "After working 18 hours straight, I felt close to melting down").

What is a good alternative to "close to melting"?

Alternatives include "nearly melting", "on the verge of melting", or "approaching melting point", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "close to be melting" instead of "close to melting"?

No, "close to melting" is the correct phrasing. The phrase "close to be melting" is grammatically incorrect. The gerund form "melting" is needed after the preposition "to".

What does it mean when someone says they are "close to melting down"?

When someone says they are "close to melting down", it's a figurative expression meaning they are "on the verge of a breakdown". It suggests they are experiencing extreme stress or emotional exhaustion.