close to the top

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to the top" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is near the highest point or position in a ranking, list, or physical location. Example: "In the latest sales report, our product is close to the top of the list in terms of revenue generated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Kali was close to the top.

The New Yorker

It's not even close to the top.

The Economist

Now she is close to the top.

The New York Times

The feed should be sent close to the top.

Computer Aided Chemical Engineering

is close to the top of his form.

The New Yorker

… And now we're getting close to the top.

The Guardian - Opinion

Education should have been on this list or close to the top four.

Harvard University

"We have had a bad spell but we are still very close to the top four.

Independent

But it is certainly close to the top of the list.

The Economist

On the scale of oncological nastiness, malignant melanoma is pretty close to the top.

The Economist

In a child's lexicon of cool, a real Egyptian mummy rates close to the top.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close to the top", ensure the context clearly indicates what the 'top' refers to, whether it's a physical location, a ranking, or a list. For example, specify "close to the top of the mountain" or "close to the top of the sales chart."

Common error

Avoid using "close to the top" when the 'top' is not well-defined or easily understood. For example, saying "the project is close to the top" without specifying what constitutes the 'top' can be vague and confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to the top" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective. It indicates the degree or extent to which something approaches the highest point, level, or position. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close to the top" is a versatile and commonly used prepositional phrase that indicates proximity to the highest point, level, or rank. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and general writing. The phrase serves to communicate high achievement or nearness to a goal. While generally neutral in register, it's important to ensure that the context clearly defines what the 'top' refers to. By understanding its nuances and usage patterns, writers can effectively incorporate "close to the top" into their vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearing the highest rank

Specifically indicates advancement toward the highest position in a hierarchy, similar to "close to the top" in competitive settings.

almost at the pinnacle

Emphasizes nearing the highest achievement or rank, mirroring "close to the top" in abstract contexts.

near the summit

Focuses on the physical high point, similar to being "close to the top" in a literal sense.

in the upper echelon

Refers to being among the highest levels or groups, conveying a similar sense of high status as "close to the top".

virtually at the crest

Implies being very near the peak or summit, similar to "close to the top" in conveying high position.

approaching the apex

Highlights the act of getting closer to the highest point, like "close to the top" but with more dynamic implication.

among the leading contenders

Suggests a position very near to first place in a competition or race, alike to "close to the top" when referring to sports.

within striking distance of first place

Highlights how near something/someone is to winning or outperforming others, comparably to "close to the top" when talking about success.

on the verge of surpassing all others

Focuses on the imminence of outranking others, like "close to the top" expressing high achievement.

a heartbeat away from number one

Emphasizes the small gap between the current position and the top spot, comparable to "close to the top" but more dramatic.

FAQs

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

"Close to the top" can be used to describe proximity to a physical high point, like "The climbers were finally close to the top of the mountain". It can also refer to a high ranking or position, such as "Our team is close to the top of the league table".

What are some alternatives to "close to the top"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "near the summit", "approaching the apex", or "in the upper echelon".

Is it better to say "near the top" or "close to the top"?

Both "near the top" and "close to the top" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or the specific nuance you want to convey. "Close to the top" might imply a slightly shorter distance or higher degree of certainty.

What does it mean when someone says a company is "close to the top"?

It usually means that the company is performing very well and is among the leaders in its industry. They are "nearing the highest rank" in terms of market share, revenue, innovation, or other relevant metrics.