close to three months

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to three months" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a duration that is nearly three months, often in contexts related to timeframes or deadlines. Example: "The project is expected to take close to three months to complete, depending on the resources available."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Diana has been competing on an injured knee, with meniscus damage, for close to three months.

The New York Times

Over longer time spans (close to three months), PMET decreased by an average of 10% (14% and 6% for 2010 and 2011) along the entire elevational gradient, and DSCET dropped by a mean 35%45%and25% 25% during 2010 and 2011).

Journal of Hydrology

He felt comfortable with the athletic numbers he put up at the NFL Scouting Combine — 4.47-second 40-yard dash, 35.5-inch vertical jump, 20 reps on the bench press — which came after close to three months of training at EXOS in Phoenix.

The Washington Post

"I think it was close to three months out with injury which was longer than I was expecting.

BBC

If we had done, we would have had to have funded the VAT almost £20,000 for an interim period of close to three months.

BBC

I traveled with five boys and five girls for close to three months.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

That date, for those registering now to have an engineer visit their home, is close to nine months, making an 11-month wait overall.

BBC

Mrs. Cassara underwent three separate operations and spent close to six months in the hospital.

The New York Times

That's pretty close to two months, and fairly similar to what other studies have shown.

The New York Times - Travel

Another 30,000 were evacuated and recovery efforts took close to six months.

The Guardian

She was close to two months pregnant when she won the Australian Open in January.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close to three months" when you want to indicate an approximate duration, but avoid using it in contexts where precision is crucial. In those cases, specify the exact number of days or weeks.

Common error

Avoid using qualifiers like "very" or "really" with "close to three months" as they can make the approximation seem exaggerated. For instance, saying "very close to three months" doesn't add meaningful information and can sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to three months" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause to indicate duration. As Ludwig AI states, it's a valid expression. The examples provided by Ludwig show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "close to three months" is a common and grammatically correct way to express an approximate duration of time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s usable in written English to indicate a period nearing three months. It appears frequently in news articles, business reports, and scientific publications, reflecting its versatility. While alternatives like "almost three months" or "nearly three months" exist, "close to three months" provides a neutral and widely accepted option. When precision is needed, however, specifying the exact number of weeks or days is recommended. The analysis indicates that while a specific time is suggested, it has the possibility of change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost three months

Replaces "close to" with "almost", indicating a near approximation.

nearly three months

Substitutes "close to" with "nearly", conveying a similar sense of approximation.

approximately three months

Uses "approximately" instead of "close to", providing a more formal tone.

around three months

Replaces "close to" with "around", indicating an estimated duration.

about three months

Uses "about" instead of "close to", offering a simpler and more casual alternative.

in the neighborhood of three months

Emphasizes the approximation with a more descriptive phrase.

in the vicinity of three months

Similar to "in the neighborhood of", but slightly more formal.

two and a half to three months

Specifies a range that includes values near three months.

a span of nearly three months

Adds "a span of" to emphasize the duration.

a period approaching three months

Highlights that the duration is getting close to three months.

FAQs

How can I use "close to three months" in a sentence?

You can use "close to three months" to indicate a duration that is nearly three months. For example, "The project is expected to take "close to three months" to complete, depending on the resources available."

What can I say instead of "close to three months"?

You can use alternatives like "almost three months", "nearly three months", or "approximately three months" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "almost three months" or "close to three months"?

Both "almost three months" and ""close to three months"" are acceptable. The choice often depends on personal preference or the desired tone. "Almost" may sound slightly more informal.

When should I use "close to three months" instead of a more specific timeframe?

Use ""close to three months"" when the exact duration is unknown or not critical. If precision is needed, provide the specific number of weeks or days instead.