close work

USAGE SUMMARY

'close work' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use 'close work' to describe an activity or task that requires precision and attention to detail, usually with a particular goal in mind. For example: "I need to do some close work to finish this project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedia

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Such symptoms may result from intensive, prolonged close work.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The odd hours and close work bred camaraderie.

The New York Times

It comes in two versions, for close work and for standing work.

The New York Times

These are usually worse toward evening and are aggravated by close work such as reading.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Which is just as well, because close work on procedural details doesn't suit Nabb's expressive style.

The New York Times - Books

It's going to take a lot of cooperation and close work with the Congress.

The New York Times

The man stays close to his work, and sometimes it's pretty close work.

The New York Times

Both Gniré and Bona have been advised to get a pair of glasses for close work.

The Guardian

LYDIA DAVIS: Macy, I think the close work I do as a translator pays off in my writing — I'm always searching for multiple ways to say things.

The New Yorker

Blake's art, and his vast collection of pop ephemera, reveal a history of his close work with the past century's musical legends.

Independent

"And you don't need a ton of friends and close work colleagues; just a handful of meaningful relationships to reap the benefits".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "close work" with specific verbs (e.g., "involve", "require", "entail") to provide context for the task at hand.

Common error

Avoid using "close work" when referring to tasks that are simply time-consuming but do not necessarily require a high degree of precision or attention to fine details. Consider alternatives like "intensive labor" or "prolonged effort" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close work" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a preposition or verb. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use to describe tasks requiring precision and focused attention, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Other

13%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close work" is a noun phrase used to describe tasks requiring precision and focused attention. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various domains. Ludwig's examples indicate that its frequency is very common, and its usage is versatile, spanning from formal scientific contexts to more informal news articles. To ensure clarity, use "close work" to highlight the detail-oriented nature of a task, and consider alternatives like "detailed work" or "intricate work" depending on the specific context. Avoid using it for tasks that are merely time-consuming without requiring a high degree of precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

detailed work

Emphasizes the level of detail involved, shifting the focus from proximity to intricacy.

meticulous work

Stresses extreme thoroughness and precision.

intricate work

Highlights the complexity and fine details of the task.

careful work

Focuses on the precision and attention needed to avoid errors.

precise work

Emphasizes accuracy and exactness in execution.

attentive work

Stresses the need for focused attention and mindfulness.

collaborative effort

Shifts the focus to teamwork and joint effort.

team effort

Highlights the cooperation and coordination within a group.

intense work

Highlights the high concentration required during the labor.

intimate collaboration

Focuses on a deep level of partnership and cooperation.

FAQs

How can I use "close work" in a sentence?

You can use "close work" to describe tasks that require focused attention and precision, such as, "This project involves a lot of "close work" on intricate details" or "She needs glasses for "close work" like reading".

What's the difference between "close work" and "hard work"?

"Close work" refers to tasks needing precision and attention, while "hard work" implies strenuous effort. One might say, "The surgeon performed "close work" during the delicate procedure", distinguishing it from merely "hard work".

What are some synonyms for "close work"?

Alternatives to "close work" include "detailed work", "intricate work", or "careful work", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is "close work" a formal or informal expression?

"Close work" is a fairly neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language than the phrase itself.