close to reality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to reality" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation, concept, or idea that is similar to what is actually happening or what is true. For example, you might say, "The story was so compelling and close to reality that I felt like I was there."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How close to reality this is.

The Economist

"It's pretty close to reality," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Those scenes are pretty close to reality".

The Guardian

That test may be close to reality.

The New York Times - Science

Is this anything close to reality?

The Washington Post

But that line doesn't even come close to reality.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A. Abdellatif tried to keep us close to reality.

The New York Times

Sadly, it is all too close to reality.

The Economist

Timmer described these maxi-models as "close to reality".

The New York Times - Magazine

The game hits close to reality on many levels.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Beutel supposes that image is "close to reality".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close to reality", ensure that the context provides a clear point of comparison, specifying what aspect is being compared to reality to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the connection to reality. Instead of claiming something is "completely close to reality" when it's only partially accurate, use qualifiers like "somewhat", "relatively", or "partially" to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to reality" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying nouns to indicate a high degree of resemblance or correspondence to actual events, situations, or facts. This is supported by examples in Ludwig, where the phrase describes depictions, simulations, or estimations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

16%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "close to reality" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe something that closely resembles actual events, situations, or facts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts. Usage is particularly frequent in News & Media, Academia, and Science, as evidenced by the source analysis. To ensure clarity, always provide a clear point of comparison when using this phrase. While alternatives like "akin to reality" and "similar to real life" exist, "close to reality" offers a direct and widely understood way to convey authenticity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

akin to reality

Emphasizes similarity or correspondence to reality.

similar to real life

Highlights the likeness of something to everyday existence.

mirrors reality

Suggests a reflection or faithful representation of reality.

bears resemblance to reality

Indicates a noticeable similarity to real-world situations.

approximates reality

Implies an estimation or nearness to actual conditions.

is a reflection of reality

Highlights that something is a direct representation of reality.

echoes reality

Indicates that something has elements that are reminiscent of reality.

aligns with reality

Suggests that something is in agreement or correspondence with actual facts.

conforms to reality

Highlights that something follows or adheres to the actual state of affairs.

resembles actual conditions

Focuses on the similarity to tangible or factual circumstances.

FAQs

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

You can use "close to reality" to describe something that closely resembles real-world situations or facts. For example, "The movie's depiction of the war was very close to reality" or "The simulation is designed to be as "true to life" as possible".

What are some alternatives to saying "close to reality"?

Alternatives to "close to reality" include "akin to reality", "similar to real life", or "mirrors reality". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "close to reality" or "closer to reality"?

Both "close to reality" and "closer to reality" are correct, but "closer to reality" implies a comparative improvement in resemblance or accuracy. Use "closer" when you want to emphasize that something is becoming more realistic.

What does it mean when something is described as "too close to reality"?

When something is described as "too close to reality", it suggests that the subject matter is uncomfortably or disturbingly realistic. This can be used, for example, when a fictional story is uncomfortably "similar to real life" events.