close to target

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to target" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something is nearly achieving a goal or objective. Example: "Our sales figures are close to target this quarter, which is encouraging for the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

And they succeeded in bringing inflation back to rates close to target, typically around 2%.

The Economist

To achieve blood supply, EFS organizes mobile blood collection sessions (80% of whole blood supply), close to target blood donors.

Transfusion Clinique et Biologique

The Bank of Japan governor, Haruhiko Kuroda, was also on the panel, and said that Japanese inflation was finally getting close to target.

The Guardian - Business

At any stage the input variable has to be such that the output is close to target while at the same time it provides as much information as possible about the model that relates input and output, to help keep the output close to target in the future.

Computational Statistics & Data Analysis

The Reserve Bank has left the cash rate at a record low of 2% for the ninth straight month, and remains optimistic about the local economy, with inflation close to target.

The Guardian

Statistical process control (SPC) reduces process variability by detecting and eliminating special causes of process variation, while engineering process control (EPC) reduces variability by adjusting the process to keep the quality variable close to target.

Journal of the Korean Statistical Society

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Cutting out overlapping costs was generally found to be more achievable, with many mergers moving reasonably close to targets.

The New York Times

Set budgets and stay close to targets.

Huffington Post

Even when the output includes targets or genes close to targets, this indicates high recall at the expense of low precision, which can hamper clear and straightforward interpretation.

Cell Communication and Signaling

This was confirmed by frequent treatment with statins and antihypertensive medications, and levels of HbA1c and blood pressures were also generally close to targets recommended by guidelines.

Cardiovascular Diabetology

Higher mass flow rates resulted in first off tablets closer to target potency, a shorter tablet potency startup phase, and greater assurance of passing content uniformity testing.

Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close to target" in technical writing, specify the metric or unit of measure for clarity (e.g., "The temperature is close to the target of 25 degrees Celsius.").

Common error

Avoid using "close to target" without providing a specific reference point. For example, instead of saying "The project is close to target", specify "The project is close to the target completion date" or "The project is close to the target budget" to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to target" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate proximity to a specific goal or objective. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately conveys nearness in various contexts. For example, "inflation close to target".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close to target" serves as a versatile indicator of nearing a desired outcome, validated by Ludwig AI as a grammatically sound and frequently used expression. Its prevalence spans across scientific, news, and business domains, denoting its adaptability across diverse communication registers. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to specify the metric associated with the target. The common pitfall involves vagueness, which can be mitigated by explicitly stating the reference point. Remember that "close to target" indicates singular goal while "close to targets" indicates multiple goals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly achieved

Focuses on the accomplishment aspect, indicating something has almost reached its goal.

almost attained

Emphasizes the attainment aspect, suggesting a goal is on the verge of being reached.

approaching the goal

Highlights the process of getting closer, rather than the state of being near.

drawing near the objective

More formal and emphasizes the process of becoming closer to a specific objective.

within reach of the aim

Suggests the aim is achievable and close enough to be obtained.

on the verge of success

Focuses on the positive outcome and implies imminent success.

nearing completion

Highlights the final stages of a process or task.

in the vicinity of the mark

More figurative and less direct, indicating a general area close to the target.

in proximity to the desired level

More technical and emphasizes the quantifiable aspect of achieving a specific level.

approximating the intended result

Highlights that the outcome is nearly equivalent to the original goal.

FAQs

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

You can use "close to target" to describe something that is nearly achieving a goal. For example, "Our sales figures are "close to target" this quarter, which is encouraging for the team".

What are some alternatives to "close to target"?

Alternatives include phrases like "nearly achieved", "almost attained", or "approaching the goal", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "close to targets" instead of "close to target"?

Both can be correct depending on the context. "Close to target" generally refers to a single, specific goal. "Close to targets" implies multiple goals are being approached. For example, "We are "close to targets" in several key performance indicators".

What does "close to target" mean in a business context?

In business, "close to target" usually means that a specific metric, such as sales revenue, profit margin, or production output, is nearing its intended or projected value. It indicates that efforts are largely successful in achieving the business objective.