close to that

USAGE SUMMARY

"close to that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used in a variety of situations to denote proximity, either in terms of physical location or to refer to a previously stated idea. For example, "I need to find a restaurant close to that one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's getting close to that".

BBC

Or something close to that.

The New Yorker

We are nowhere close to that.

The New York Times

"Exact Sciences has gotten close to that.

The New York Times - Health

But we never got close to that.

The Guardian - Sport

And we are quite close to that.

The Guardian

No other country came close to that.

The Economist

"Google Apps is close to that.

The New York Times - Tech

And now they are close to that.

The New York Times

Or close to that.

The Guardian

You're too close to that.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close to that", ensure the context clearly establishes what "that" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For instance, specify a value or location previously mentioned.

Common error

Avoid using "close to that" without a clear antecedent for "that". Ensure the reader knows precisely what you are referring to, or rephrase for clarity. For example, instead of "The cost was close to that", specify "The cost was close to the estimated $100".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to that" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a state of nearness or resemblance. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use to denote proximity in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close to that" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate nearness or similarity to something previously mentioned. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used and understood. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral register. For effective use, ensure the reference is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "similar to that" or "near to that". Remember, clarity is key when employing "close to that" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

similar to that

Uses "similar" to indicate resemblance rather than proximity.

near to that

Emphasizes physical or metaphorical nearness.

akin to that

Indicates a comparable nature or quality.

not far from that

Highlights the relative lack of distance.

in that vicinity

More formal, indicating a surrounding area or range.

proximate to that

More formal and technical term for closeness.

in that ballpark

Informal, suggesting an approximate quantity or degree.

bordering on that

Implies a state very near to a specified condition or limit.

almost there

Suggests nearing a goal or completion, implying proximity in progress.

approaching that

Focuses on the action of getting nearer.

FAQs

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

You can use "close to that" to indicate something is nearby or similar to a previously mentioned item, idea, or value. For example, "The actual cost was "close to that" estimate".

What can I say instead of "close to that"?

You can use alternatives like "similar to that", "near to that", or "akin to that" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "closest to that" instead of "close to that"?

While "close to that" implies nearness or similarity, "closest to that" implies being the nearest or most similar. The choice depends on whether you need to emphasize the highest degree of proximity. "Closest to that" suggests it's the nearest among multiple options.

What's the difference between "close to that" and "closed to that"?

"Close to that" indicates nearness or similarity, while "closed to that" means unreceptive or not allowing something. For example, "He was "close to that" promotion" versus "He was "closed to that" idea".