close to real

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to real" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe something that is not completely real, but is quite close. For example, you could say: "This virtual reality game feels close to real."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

At times he veers close to real misanthropy.

The New York Times - Books

The words anchor the melody nicely but don't portray anything close to real life.

The New York Times

Occasionally, to Sanchez' credit, his language comes close to real effect.

The New York Times - Books

What happens in between is filmed excruciatingly close to real time.

The Guardian - Film

It was not really bad conducting, but it was nothing close to real style".

The Guardian - Music

A new technique helps researchers visualize molecules moving in close to real time.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

The model predicts COEs remarkably close to real-world costs.

Renewable Energy

The data analysis task for these experiments requires keeping up with this data rate in close to real-time.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

These numerical simulation tools require high computational efficiencies, as calculations have to be performed in times close to real-time.

Comptes Rendus Mécanique

He admits to feeling a mix of pride and wonder to be so close to real-world success.

The New York Times

"The simulation is real close to real-life baseball, but in the end it isn't real-life baseball".

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close to real" when describing simulations, imitations, or representations that accurately reflect reality but are not entirely authentic. For example, "The graphics in this video game are so realistic, they feel close to real."

Common error

Avoid using "close to real" when "realistic" is more appropriate. "Realistic" describes something that inherently resembles reality, while "close to real" implies an approximation or imitation. Instead of saying "The movie set was close to real", consider "The movie set was realistic"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to real" functions as a modifier, typically describing a noun. It indicates that something is nearly authentic or a very good approximation of reality. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close to real" is a versatile phrase used to describe something that closely resembles reality. It is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, including news, science, and general discourse. Ludwig AI affirms the phrase's validity and offers helpful examples. When writing, use "close to real" to indicate near-authenticity, but be mindful of situations where a more precise term like "realistic" might be more appropriate. The phrase is frequently used in News & Media and Science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approaching reality

Focuses on the process of becoming real, rather than a static state.

akin to reality

Emphasizes similarity or likeness to reality.

resembling the real thing

Highlights the visual or superficial similarity to something authentic.

virtually real

Indicates something is almost real, often used in the context of simulations or technology.

mirroring reality

Suggests a direct reflection or close imitation of reality.

almost indistinguishable from reality

Stresses the difficulty in telling the difference between something and the real thing.

a near reflection of reality

Highlights the characteristic of mirroring back the real thing.

bear a close resemblance to reality

Focuses on having a strong similarity to reality.

in the neighborhood of real

Suggests being located nearby, or in the vicinity of something authentic.

on the verge of reality

Implies being very near to becoming truly real.

FAQs

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

You can use "close to real" to describe something that closely resembles reality but isn't entirely authentic. For instance, "The simulation provided an experience that was "approaching reality"." or "The virtual world felt "virtually real".

What phrases are similar to "close to real"?

Alternatives include "akin to reality", "resembling the real thing", or "mirroring reality". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it better to use "realistic" instead of "close to real"?

"Realistic" is better when something inherently resembles reality. "Close to real" is more suitable when describing an imitation or approximation. So, instead of "The painting was close to real", consider "The painting was realistic".

Is there a difference between "close to real life" and "close to real"?

"Close to real life" typically refers to situations or depictions that mirror actual lived experiences. "Close to real" is more general and can refer to any kind of reality, whether it's a physical object or an abstract concept. "The movie was "close to real life"" versus "The simulation felt "close to real"".