close to the target

USAGE SUMMARY

"close to the target" is a valid phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is not quite at a desired point, but it is very close to it. For example, "The dart landed just a few centimeters away from the bullseye - close to the target but not quite on it."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's about getting in close to the target, close quarters fighting".

The Guardian - Film

Without such a planned route, the pilot would need to be fairly close to the target.

The Washington Post

Many were dropping close to the target prices that Third Avenue had been seeking.

The New York Times

So to get close to the target, Mr. Headley was preparing to visit a synagogue.

The New York Times

First, the sensitivity of equity issuances to past stock performance is the highest among firms close to the target leverage.

Cornell University

As Chiocchio put it, "There was really this impression that we were very close to the target".

The New Yorker

The combination of these two techniques was sufficient to fire a shell that would land close to the target.

Britannica

Every year before the previous one, the number of visas granted were very close to the target figure.

The Guardian

Any control strategy, that will satisfy these conditions, can bring the robot arbitrarily close to the target.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

Each state-based model is considered as an abstraction, which is more or less close to the target algorithmic entity.

Future Generation Computer Systems

The game is played with two teams of four players each, the idea being to get the stone as close to the target or "house" as possible.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close to the target" when you want to convey that something is nearly achieved or reached, but not quite there yet. For example, "The company's profits were close to the target for this quarter."

Common error

While "close to the target" is perfectly acceptable, avoid using it excessively in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more precise language such as "approaching the objective" or "nearly achieved" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to the target" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate proximity to a specified goal or objective. Ludwig examples show it qualifying outcomes, measurements and positions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

27%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close to the target" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express proximity to a goal or desired outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and examples demonstrate its usage across diverse contexts, particularly in scientific and news-related domains. While versatile, remember to adjust formality based on your writing context and consider alternatives to avoid overuse. As Ludwig examples show, this phrase effectively communicates an assessment of progress, indicating nearness without full achievement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

near the objective

Replaces "target" with "objective", focusing on the goal itself, slightly more abstract.

approaching the goal

Emphasizes the action of moving toward the goal, rather than the state of being near it.

in proximity to the mark

Uses more formal language ("proximity", "mark") to convey a similar meaning.

drawing near the aim

Replaces "close" with "drawing near" and "target" with "aim", altering the phrasing for a slightly different feel.

verging on the desired outcome

Indicates being on the edge of achieving the outcome, suggesting a higher degree of uncertainty.

nearly at the intended result

Focuses on the result rather than the process, adding a sense of completion.

almost reaching the objective

Specifically highlights that the objective has not been reached yet, implying a final push is needed.

approaching the desired outcome

Focuses on the act of approaching, highlighting the progression towards the objective.

within striking distance of the goal

Uses a metaphor related to combat or sports to suggest readiness to achieve the goal.

on the verge of achieving the objective

Emphasizes that success is imminent but not yet realized, increasing the tension.

FAQs

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

You can use "close to the target" to indicate proximity to a goal or desired outcome. For example: "The team's performance was "close to the target", but they still needed to improve."

What are some alternatives to saying "close to the target"?

Alternatives include "near the objective", "approaching the goal", or "nearly at the intended result", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "close to the target" or "achieved the target"?

"Close to the target" implies that the goal was not fully reached, while "achieved the target" means the goal was successfully met. The choice depends on the accuracy you want to convey.

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

In business, "close to the target" often refers to financial metrics, sales goals, or project milestones that are nearly reached but not yet fully accomplished. For example, "Our quarterly revenue was "close to the target", but we missed it by a small margin."