closely

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "closely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the manner in which something is done or connected to something else. For example: "The two events are closely related."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Let me assure you that my government is committed to working closely with you and your government during your tenure and most importantly, in pursuit of our bilateral relations.

The Guardian

We'll be reading their report closely to determine next steps".

The Guardian - Tech

The governor's work leading New Jersey through the recovery from the storm, which damaged more than 360,000 homes and businesses, helped cement his national reputation as a no-nonsense, hard-driving governor willing to work closely with Democrats to get things done.

The Guardian

The shadow home secretary said the government should work more closely with the devolved institutions and councils to assess how many refugees they would be prepared to take.

The Guardian

"The difficult is that the blockade issue is closely aligned with the political demands being made by Hamas, and the political and security demands being made by Israel".

The Guardian

Human rights activists and politicians in South Africa, for instance, closely studied German trials, public commemoration and schoolbooks; and the Chinese admonished Japan that, in dealing with the second world war, it should adopt the "German model".

The Guardian - Opinion

To quote just one: "So here is a specific and valuable advance in knowledge that could only have been attained by experimentation on animals that closely resemble us; experiments which are, as far as we can tell, almost painless".

The Guardian

But as the months go by it will become increasingly difficult for Boris to blame his problems on his predecessor, and the old media should increasingly join the new in closely scrutinising his term.

The Guardian - Opinion

Star Lions recruit Dayne Beams also saw plenty of the football, amassing a game-high 32 disposals in his first match since his protracted move from Collingwood late last year - but he only kicked the ball seven times, and was minded closely by Taylor Adams for most of the night.

The Guardian - Sport

However, working closely with narrators, their families, legal and medical professionals, countless staff and volunteers helped to ensure this.

The Guardian

Her mother Elena told the Manchester Evening News that Oxford needed to look closely at its interview procedure.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "closely" to emphasize a strong connection, careful observation, or detailed examination. For example, "The data was analyzed closely to identify any trends."

Common error

Avoid redundant phrases like "closely watch" or "closely listen" when "watch" or "listen" already imply attentiveness. Instead, use "watch carefully" or simply "listen attentively."

Linguistic Context

The adverb "closely" primarily functions to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating the degree or manner in which an action is performed or a quality is possessed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and the examples show its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "closely" functions as an adverb that adds emphasis to verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, denoting a strong connection, detailed examination, or careful observation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts. Primarily found in news and formal business settings, it conveys intensity and precision. When writing, ensure that you're not using it redundantly and consider synonyms like "attentively" or "intimately" to add nuance. With a very common usage frequency and a high expert rating, mastering "closely" will undoubtedly enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intimately

Emphasizes a personal or private connection.

carefully

Highlights the precision and caution involved.

attentively

Focuses on paying careful attention.

tightly

Suggests a firm or secure connection.

meticulously

Emphasizes extreme attention to detail.

vigilantly

Highlights a watchful and alert approach.

nearly

Indicates a close approximation or resemblance.

scrutinizingly

Focuses on critical observation and examination.

in depth

Similar to 'in detail', but implies a more profound understanding.

in detail

Focuses on examining something thoroughly.

FAQs

How can I use "closely" in a sentence?

You can use "closely" to describe how something is observed, connected, or examined. For example, "The two events are "closely related"", or "I'm following the situation "closely"".

What are some alternatives to "closely"?

Alternatives to "closely" include "attentively", "carefully", or "intimately", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "closely monitor"?

Yes, "closely monitor" is grammatically correct, but you can also consider alternatives like "carefully monitor" or simply "scrutinize" for a less verbose expression. To "scrutinize" implies an action performed with great care.

What's the difference between "closely" and "carefully"?

"Closely" often implies proximity or strong connection, while "carefully" emphasizes caution and attention to detail. You might examine something "closely" to understand its connections, and handle it "carefully" to avoid damage.