close to three weeks ago

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to three weeks ago" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a time frame that is approximately three weeks in the past. Example: "I submitted my application close to three weeks ago, and I'm still waiting for a response."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Months after posting a video on the matter and explaining that the condiment cups seemingly unfolded to allow for maximum dunk square-footage, a comment came in close to three weeks ago explaining that Chinese take-away containers follow a similar concept -- apparently they unfold into a plate.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Blaydon Races rang out from the visitors' dressing room at the close, in stark contrast to three weeks ago when they lost at Lancashire and ended up in the relegation zone.

BBC

Up to three weeks ago, that worked well for us.

BBC

An exposure to varicella three to four weeks ago had been reported.

BMC Pediatrics

There was a degree of uncertainty from some close to him as recently as three weeks ago, that the job was right for him.

Independent

Have you been to a game?" "Yes, three weeks ago".

Independent

AFTER shaking hands in front of the cameras on July 21st, President Robert Mugabe and Zimbabwe's main opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, seem barely closer to resolving their differences than they were three weeks ago, when discussions over power-sharing began.

The Economist

The operation, three weeks ago, brings scientists closer to the elusive goal of finding a permanent alternative to the heart transplant.

The New York Times

Jeneba Tarmoh is still struggling to understand how a close race at the United States Olympic trials nearly three weeks ago left her without a spot in the 100 meters at the London Games.

The New York Times

In New York, three weeks ago, I spoke to Gordon Crovitz.

The Guardian - Tech

Two, three weeks ago?

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close to three weeks ago" when you want to indicate an approximate timeframe without being overly precise. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid replacing "close to three weeks ago" with overly formal or complex alternatives when a simpler phrasing is more appropriate. Clarity is key.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to three weeks ago" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb by indicating when an action occurred. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a common and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close to three weeks ago" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial phrase to indicate an approximate time in the past. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and suitable for use in various contexts. It's most commonly found in news and media, maintaining a neutral register. When a slightly different nuance is desired, alternatives like "approximately three weeks prior" or "around three weeks back" can be considered. However, care should be taken not to overcomplicate the phrasing with unnecessary formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately three weeks prior

Replaces "close to" with "approximately" and "ago" with "prior", maintaining a formal tone.

nearly three weeks in the past

Substitutes "close to" with "nearly" and uses "in the past" for a more descriptive timeframe.

almost three weeks since

Replaces "close to" with "almost" and uses "since" to indicate elapsed time from a past event.

around three weeks back

Uses "around" instead of "close to" and "back" instead of "ago", creating a slightly more informal tone.

in the vicinity of three weeks ago

Replaces "close to" with the more formal "in the vicinity of".

roughly three weeks earlier

Uses "roughly" instead of "close to" and "earlier" instead of "ago", keeping a similar meaning.

about two and a half weeks ago

Provides a more specific estimate of the time frame.

a little under three weeks ago

Uses "a little under" to express the approximation.

in the neighborhood of three weeks ago

Similar to "in the vicinity of", but slightly less formal.

just shy of three weeks ago

Emphasizes that the timeframe is slightly less than three weeks.

FAQs

What does "close to three weeks ago" mean?

It means approximately three weeks in the past, indicating an estimated timeframe rather than a precise measurement.

Are there more formal alternatives to "close to three weeks ago"?

Yes, you could use phrases like "approximately three weeks prior" or "in the vicinity of three weeks ago" for a more formal tone.

Can I use "close to three weeks ago" in academic writing?

Yes, it is acceptable in academic writing, although more precise language might be preferred depending on the context and the level of accuracy required. However, this depends on the field: natural sciences require absolute precision. Humanities or social sciences may relax this constrain.

What's a more casual way to say "close to three weeks ago"?

You could say "around three weeks back", which is a more informal way to express the same idea.