closely approaches

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "closely approaches" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is nearly reaching or coming near to a certain point, standard, or condition. Example: "The new policy closely approaches the standards set by international regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Our docking model shows that Cdx very closely approaches the heme thiolate ligand, and such a close approach should affect the electronic properties of the thiolate ligand and coordinated ligands, as has been observed when Pdx binds to P450cam.

Biochemistry

This closely approaches a mere quibble.

Cornell University

The one that most closely approaches the ideal is methane.

The New Yorker

This 2100 value closely approaches the (unlikely) maximum value suggested by Pfeffer et al9.

Nature

"A visual display more closely approaches a parallel process, with much broader bandwidth for communicating from computer to person".

The New York Times - Tech

In stylistic flavor, "Benjamin" most closely approaches the eighteenth-century English taste for portraits of fetching individuals in fancy dress.

The New Yorker

The animal that most closely approaches a constant rate of growth is an insect larva.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Very large sections of the San Gabriels closely approach that angle.

The New Yorker

At first, the Taizong emperor's style of government closely approached his ideal picture.

Britannica

"We closely approach human performance," says Taigman of the new software.

MIT Technology Review

During the free fall period, the visualized bubble closely approached a steady state.

Cryogenics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "closely approaches" when you want to emphasize that something is not exact, but very near to a specific value, condition, or standard.

Common error

Avoid using "closely approaches" when something is actually equal to or exactly the same as the target. This phrase implies approximation, not equivalence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "closely approaches" functions as a verb phrase indicating approximation or near attainment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It suggests that something is nearing a certain state or level, without necessarily reaching it. Examples from Ludwig show it in scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "closely approaches" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that signifies approximation or near attainment. According to Ludwig AI, it is widely accepted and used in various contexts, particularly in scientific and formal writing. The analysis of example sentences reveals its frequent application in academic, scientific, and news media sources. When using this phrase, remember that it implies nearness rather than exactness and consider alternatives like "nearly reaches" or "almost attains" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly reaches

Focuses on the act of almost attaining a specific level or target.

almost attains

Emphasizes the achievement of nearing a particular state or condition.

closely resembles

Highlights the similarity in appearance or characteristics.

approximates well

Indicates a good level of approximation or similarity.

comes near to

Expresses the concept of approaching but not necessarily reaching.

verges on

Implies getting close to a particular state, often negative.

borders on

Suggests similarity to something without being exactly the same.

nears perfection

Specifically used when talking about approaching an ideal state.

mimics closely

Focuses on the action of imitating or resembling something accurately.

parallels closely

Draws attention to the analogous qualities or developments.

FAQs

How can I use "closely approaches" in a sentence?

You can use "closely approaches" to describe something that is nearly reaching a certain level or standard. For example, "The experimental results "closely approaches" the theoretical predictions."

What are some alternatives to "closely approaches"?

Alternatives include "nearly reaches", "almost attains", or "closely resembles" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "closely approaches" and "exactly matches"?

"Closely approaches" suggests an approximation, while "exactly matches" implies an identical correspondence. Use "closely approaches" when something is near but not equal to a standard; use "exactly matches" when there is no difference.

When is it appropriate to use "closely approaches" in formal writing?

It's appropriate when describing data, results, or conditions that are near but not identical to a specific benchmark or expected outcome. For example, "The model's accuracy "closely approaches" that of more complex simulations."