close to perfect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to perfect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is nearly flawless or very high in quality, but not entirely perfect. Example: "The presentation was close to perfect, with only a few minor details that could be improved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Close to perfect.

The Guardian - Music

"Was I even close to perfect?

Independent

The book itself is close to perfect.

The New York Times - Books

Everyone onstage is pretty close to perfect.

The New York Times

It's dangerously close to perfect.

The Guardian - Film

"Was I close to perfect?

The Guardian - Business

I don't think it's close to perfect.

The Washington Post

For Kidd, things are close to perfect.

The New York Times - Sports

"You were pretty close to perfect".

The New York Times - Sports

The setting is close to perfect.

The New York Times - Arts

It was a close to "perfect" game.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close to perfect" when you want to acknowledge minor imperfections while still emphasizing high quality or achievement. For example, "The design is close to perfect, needing only a few tweaks."

Common error

Avoid using "close to perfect" when something is significantly flawed or has major issues. It's more accurate to use terms like "promising" or "good" to avoid misleading your audience about the actual quality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to perfect" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase, typically used to describe a noun. Ludwig indicates its wide usage in denoting something of high quality that isn't entirely without flaws, as illustrated in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close to perfect" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that nearly achieves perfection but still has minor flaws. Ludwig AI confirms its broad usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While it conveys high praise, the phrase maintains a sense of realism, acknowledging the possibility of improvement. Alternatives like "almost flawless" or "nearly impeccable" can be used to express similar sentiments. It's important to avoid using "close to perfect" when describing something with significant flaws to prevent misrepresentation. Overall, the phrase serves as a valuable tool for providing nuanced assessments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost flawless

Emphasizes the absence of flaws, closely mirroring the meaning of being near perfect.

nearly impeccable

Highlights the high standard achieved, suggesting a very slight margin from being faultless.

virtually faultless

Implies that any faults are so minor as to be practically nonexistent.

bordering on perfection

Suggests the state of being almost at the highest standard, hinting at a dynamic process.

approaching ideal

Focuses on the movement toward a perfect standard, rather than the current state.

tantamount to perfection

Equates the subject with perfection, suggesting they are essentially the same.

as good as it gets

Expresses a sentiment that the subject is the best possible outcome or state.

nearing excellence

Highlights a move toward outstanding quality, differing in its emphasis on quality rather than flawlessness.

remarkably good

Focuses on the high quality without directly referencing perfection.

exceedingly well done

Emphasizes the quality of execution or performance, rather than a state of being perfect.

FAQs

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

You can use "close to perfect" to describe something that has reached a very high standard, but isn't quite flawless. For example, "Her performance was "close to perfect", with just a few minor stumbles."

What are some alternatives to "close to perfect"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "almost flawless", "nearly impeccable", or "virtually faultless".

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

Use "close to perfect" when you want to be precise and acknowledge that there are still some minor imperfections. "Perfect" should be reserved for situations where something is truly without any flaws.

What's the difference between ""close to perfect"" and "near perfect"?

The phrases ""close to perfect"" and "near perfect" are very similar in meaning and can often be used interchangeably. Both indicate a high level of quality with slight imperfections.