close to serious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to serious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or tone that is approaching seriousness but may not be fully serious yet. Example: "His tone was close to serious, indicating that he was about to discuss something important."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Even got close to serious a few times.

The New York Times - Sports

Winter's Bone – a meaty-sounding slice of blue-collar Americana, with a teenage protagonist coming dangerously close to serious crime.

The Guardian - Film

Halberstadt is the quiet Dutchman at the heart of Bilderberg, and has been close to serious power and money for decades.

The Guardian

We all like to have some fun sometimes on the internet and declare Dalston to be dead, but I am wavering close to serious this time.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But when the lineup for this year's festival was announced, it seemed to edge closer to serious jazz -- thanks to the continued influence of its former owner, George Wein.

The New York Times

The story gets the closest to serious (but also to cliche) when Burroughs talks about finally falling in love and building a home.

The Guardian - Books

FIFA may not be closer to serious reform now than it was over four years ago, but the potential loss of hundreds of millions on the 2022 World Cup might prove to the organization that change is not only the right thing to do but also the most lucrative.

The New Yorker

As the government moves closer to serious reform in the company and the end of the term of the chief executive, Rem Vyakhirev, nears, shareholders and business rivals say there are indications that company assets are being transferred to subsidiaries, possibly to the benefit of management.

The New York Times

Whether or not in the near future machines will be created that come close to being serious candidates for having mental states, focusing on this increasingly serious possibility is a good way to begin to understand the kinds of questions addressed in the philosophy of mind.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In previous elections, these fringe candidates have never come close to becoming serious contenders.

The New Yorker

Yet on the inside the country remains dangerously close to a serious breakdown of authority.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close to serious" when you want to indicate that a situation or topic is becoming more important or concerning but hasn't fully reached a critical point. It's useful for highlighting a developing sense of gravity.

Common error

Avoid using "close to serious" when the situation is already undeniably serious. The phrase implies a transition or a point just before reaching seriousness. Instead, describe the severity directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to serious" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or situation to indicate a state that is approaching seriousness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable phrase in English. It describes a point nearing a crucial or critical state.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "close to serious" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for indicating that a situation is approaching a state of seriousness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for English writing. While not overly common, it is applicable in a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as science and encyclopedic sources. Alternatives such as "almost serious" or "nearing serious" can provide similar shades of meaning. It's important to reserve "close to serious" for situations that are genuinely in transition towards seriousness, rather than using it for already critical scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearing serious

Focuses on the act of approaching a state of seriousness.

almost serious

Emphasizes the proximity to being fully serious.

verging on serious

Suggests a tendency to become serious.

bordering on serious

Implies being at the edge of a serious state.

approaching seriousness

Highlights the process of moving towards a serious condition.

becoming serious

Focuses on the transformation into a serious state.

on the verge of serious

Stresses the imminence of becoming serious.

close to being critical

Uses "critical" instead of "serious", implying a more severe state.

nearly critical

Emphasizes how close to a crisis point something is.

akin to serious

Similar in nature to something serious, without being completely equivalent.

FAQs

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

You can use "close to serious" to describe a situation or discussion that is approaching a point of gravity, such as "The negotiations were getting "close to serious" as the deadline approached."

What's a good alternative to "close to serious"?

Alternatives include "almost serious", "nearly critical", or "verging on serious", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "close to serious" the same as "deadly serious"?

No, "close to serious" implies that a situation is approaching a critical state, whereas "deadly serious" means the situation is already grave and must be treated with utmost importance.

When is it appropriate to use "close to serious" instead of just saying "serious"?

Use "close to serious" when you want to emphasize the transition towards a more serious state or the potential for a situation to escalate, rather than stating that it is already fully serious.