close to the

USAGE SUMMARY

"close to the" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate proximity to a specific location or object. Example: "The park is close to the school." Alternative expressions include "near the" and "adjacent to the."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Reference

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But close to the water?

The New York Times

Yes, close to the bulls.

The New York Times

She was very close to the princess".

Independent

Some came close to the hole.

The New York Times

"I'm too close to the work".

The New York Times

He was close to the Astor.

The New Yorker

He lurks close to the playmaker Xavi.

The New York Times - Sports

Could we get close to The Guardian?

Independent

Are we this close to the edge?

Independent

You were dancing close to the steps.

The New York Times

Hindsight bias is close to the reverse.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a result that was nearly achieved, use this phrase to indicate a narrow margin, such as "close to the target".

Common error

Avoid using "closed to the" when you mean proximity. "Closed" is a state of being shut, whereas "close" refers to distance. For example, use "The hotel is close to the beach" instead of "The hotel is closed to the beach".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to the" serves as a prepositional construction where "close" acts as an adjective of proximity, followed by the preposition "to" and the definite article "the". According to Ludwig AI, it functions primarily to establish a spatial, temporal or metaphorical link between a subject and a specific noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

48%

News & Media

42%

Reference

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "close to the" is an essential and Very common idiomatic construction in English. Analysis of Ludwig data confirms its correctness and versatility across various domains, from instructional WikiHow articles to sophisticated commentary in The New Yorker. It effectively bridges physical proximity and metaphorical closeness. While synonyms like <a href="/s/near+the" target="_blank" rel="alternative">near the are available, "close to the" remains a preferred choice for its clarity and rhythmic balance. Ludwig AI highlights its frequent use in journalism to describe political or social intimacy, as well as in technical guides for precise spatial positioning. Writers should simply be careful not to confuse it with the past participle "closed" and can use it confidently in any writing register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

near the

Provides the most direct and common synonym for general proximity.

in close proximity to the

A pleonastic but common formal alternative used to emphasize the degree of closeness.

next to the

Implies immediate side-by-side proximity rather than just being in the general area.

in the vicinity of the

A more formal and slightly less precise way to describe being in the surrounding area.

proximate to the

Used primarily in technical, legal or academic contexts to denote closeness.

beside the

Specifically denotes being at the side of something.

adjacent to the

Suggests that the two objects are sharing a border or are separated by very little space.

within reach of the

Focuses on the accessibility of the object rather than just its spatial coordinates.

bordering the

Used when the proximity involves actual contact or shared edges.

alongside the

Suggests proximity while moving or being positioned parallel to an object.

FAQs

How do I use "close to the" in a sentence?

You can use "close to the" to indicate that something is near a specific object or location. For example: "The playground is <a href="/s/close+to+the" target="_blank" rel="alternative">close to the library."

What is the difference between "close to the" and "near the"?

While both are often interchangeable, "close to the" can sometimes imply a greater degree of intimacy or a smaller gap than <a href="/s/near+the" target="_blank" rel="alternative">near the. Additionally, "close" always requires the preposition "to" when followed by an object, whereas "near" usually does not.

Is it correct to say "close to the" in formal writing?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable. However, for more technical or academic precision, you might consider <a href="/s/in+close+proximity+to+the" target="_blank" rel="alternative">in close proximity to the or <a href="/s/adjacent+to+the" target="_blank" rel="alternative">adjacent to the.

Can "close to the" be used for time?

Yes, it can describe proximity in time, such as being "<a href="/s/close+to+the+deadline" target="_blank" rel="alternative">close to the deadline" or "close to the end of the year."