close to true

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to true" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It typically means that something is almost, but not entirely, accurate or correct. It can also be used to express that something is very close to being correct or accurate. Example: While her statement was close to true, she left out a few important details.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Not close to true, it turns out.

The New York Times

"Maybe the president believes that saying something makes it close to true.

The Washington Post

Mr. Kerrey described Mr. Schlesinger's account as "pretty close to true".

The New York Times

She only comes close to true surrealist weirdness with her Ceremonial Hat for Eating Bouillabaisse (1936).

The Guardian - Books

Several projects either exceeded or come very close to true net zero energy when evaluated over a year.

Energy and Buildings

How can we be sure that the data and inference really do get us close to true meaning?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Another variation, embedded with mica, is closer to true white.

The New York Times

We move closer to true equality with each woman who leans in.

The New York Times

It may be true — or at least closer to true now than in the past — that anyone can make a movie.

The New York Times

Many sample units of small area provided estimates that were consistently closer to true abundance than sample scenarios with few sample units of large area.

Ecological Modelling

Under all data-generating mechanisms, 95% simulation intervals were closer to true values in all three regression models.

Health Economics Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close to true" when you want to express that something is nearly accurate without being perfectly exact. It acknowledges a slight degree of imperfection while still conveying a high level of truthfulness.

Common error

Avoid using "close to true" when the statement is significantly inaccurate or misleading. Ensure the discrepancy is minor to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to true" functions as an adjectival modifier, typically describing a statement, estimation, or representation. As supported by Ludwig, it indicates a state of near accuracy, suggesting that something is not entirely precise but still largely correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close to true" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something is nearly accurate or correct, though not perfectly so. As affirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in News & Media and Science contexts. While there are subtle differences between "close to true" and alternatives like "nearly accurate" or "almost correct", the choice depends on the desired nuance. Remember to avoid overstating accuracy when using this phrase, ensuring that any discrepancies are minor. Ludwig’s examples reinforce its role in conveying approximations and qualified information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly accurate

Replaces the idiomatic "close to" with the more direct "nearly", simplifying the expression while maintaining its core meaning.

almost correct

Substitutes "true" with "correct", focusing on factual accuracy rather than a broader sense of truth.

virtually exact

Emphasizes a high degree of precision, suggesting a near-perfect match or correspondence.

practically precise

Highlights the practical implications of being accurate, implying that the level of precision is sufficient for most purposes.

approaching reality

Focuses on the movement or progression toward a true or real state, rather than a static level of accuracy.

bordering on truth

Suggests that something is almost, but not quite, truthful, highlighting the ambiguity or uncertainty.

substantially accurate

Implies a significant level of accuracy, though not necessarily complete or perfect.

largely correct

Indicates that most aspects are correct, but there may be some minor inaccuracies or errors.

in the ballpark

An informal expression suggesting an estimate is generally correct, though not precisely accurate.

not far from the truth

Emphasizes that the statement is reasonably accurate, even if not completely so.

FAQs

How can I use "close to true" in a sentence?

You can use "close to true" to indicate that a statement or approximation is almost accurate, such as: "The estimated cost was "close to true", differing by only a small percentage."

What are some alternatives to "close to true"?

Alternatives include "nearly accurate", "almost correct", or "substantially accurate" depending on the degree of precision you want to convey.

Is it better to say "close to true" or "almost true"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "close to true" might suggest a higher degree of accuracy than "almost true". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to express.

How does "close to true" differ from "the truth"?

"The truth" implies complete accuracy, while "close to true" acknowledges a slight deviation from complete accuracy. "Close to true" suggests an approximation, while "the truth" suggests a definitive fact.