close to one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a quantity or value that is nearly equal to one, often in mathematical or statistical contexts. Example: "The probability of success is close to one, suggesting that the outcome is highly likely."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Pacific Grove and Carmel are coastal cities lying close to one another on the Monterey Peninsula.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

I came very close to one agent taking it on.

The Guardian - Books

It is pretty close to one now".

The New York Times

It's not even close to one.

The New York Times

Close to one million tons have been removed so far.

The New York Times

It takes a whole day to get close to one.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Close to one-half of cases develop clinically significant ILD.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Close to one-fifth of the participants reported that their chronic pain interfered with daily activities.

Clinical interventions in aging

Close to one-fifth (17.1%) of students were exposed to neighbour SHS.

BMJ Open

The common predictions between Yu and N+ are close to one-half.

BioMed Research International

Close to one-fifth of participants incorrectly indicated there were no potential for interactions with glucosamine.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close to one" in scientific writing, ensure the context clearly defines what 'one' represents. For example, correlation coefficients, ratios, or statistical measures should be explicitly stated.

Common error

Avoid using "close to one" when precision is required. If the value is critical, provide the exact figure rather than an approximation. Saying "the ratio is close to one" might not be sufficient if the analysis requires knowing it's 0.98 versus 1.02.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to one" typically functions as a qualifier or modifier, often describing a numerical value or ratio that approximates unity. It provides an indication of proximity without stating an exact figure, similar to what Ludwig AI explains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "close to one" is a common and grammatically correct way to express approximation, particularly in numerical or statistical contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various domains, but predominantly in science and news media. When writing, remember that while "close to one" indicates nearness, precision is key: provide exact figures when required. Consider alternatives like "nearly one" or "almost one" for subtle variations in meaning. Pay attention to context and clarify what 'one' represents to ensure clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly one

Indicates an approximation that is slightly less formal.

almost one

Suggests a value approaching one, but not quite reaching it.

approaching one

Implies movement towards the value of one.

around one

Indicates an approximate value centered on one.

in the vicinity of one

More formal and indicates a range around the value of one.

in the neighborhood of one

Similar to 'in the vicinity of one' but slightly less formal.

just under one

Highlights that the value is slightly less than one.

slightly below one

More precise than 'nearly one', specifying the direction of approximation.

not far from one

Emphasizes the small difference from the value of one.

within reach of one

Suggests closeness with the possibility of reaching exactly one.

FAQs

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

You can use "close to one" to describe values that are approximately equal to one. For example, "The correlation coefficient was "close to one", indicating a strong positive correlation".

What's the difference between "close to one" and "nearly one"?

Both "close to one" and "nearly one" indicate approximation. "Nearly one" ("nearly one") might be slightly more informal, while "close to one" ("close to one") is suitable for various contexts, including scientific and technical writing.

What alternatives can I use instead of "close to one"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "almost one", "approximately one", or "in the vicinity of one".

Is it appropriate to use "close to one" in formal writing?

Yes, "close to one" is appropriate in formal writing, especially in scientific and technical contexts where approximate values are frequently discussed. Just ensure that the degree of approximation is acceptable for your specific field or analysis.