closely hoping

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "closely hoping" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in a context where someone is expressing a strong desire or anticipation for something to happen, but it would be better to rephrase it for clarity. Example: "I am closely hoping for a positive outcome in the negotiations."

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I study Hetherington's six categories closely, hoping to place somewhere not too inglorious between the "divorce winners" (also referred to as "successful changers") and the abject losers.

The New Yorker

So foreigners are watching closely, hoping that despite what they consider the hypocrisies and inconsistencies, the nation they once imagined would stand as a model for the future will, with greater sensitivity and less force, help solve the world's problems.

The New York Times

Other businesses that applied for licenses but were denied, and state lawmakers allied with them, are monitoring the final-approval process closely, hoping that companies that missed the deadline will be rejected and that their own companies will get another chance to break into the potentially lucrative legal marijuana industry.

The Washington Post

Meanwhile, organizers from far and wide are watching closely, hoping to launch similar initiatives in their own communities.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

There is one man who is probably watching the situation closely, and hoping Tennessee blows it with Fisher.

The New York Times - Sports

NEW DELHI — While the United States Congress considers what, if anything, should be done to damp oil trading markets, where prices remain high by historical standards, nations outside the United States are watching closely and hoping for big changes.

The New York Times

In the interim, we should all be watching Northern Ireland closely, and hoping that whenever Brexit happens and whatever form it takes, it does not bring back any version of the Troubles.

The New York Times

We're watching him closely and hope we didn't miss anything".

The New York Times - Sports

He said the group was following the process closely and hoped to see "strict guidelines" on their use.

The New York Times

For now, the only thing observers can do is to watch closely and hope for the best.

The Guardian - Business

The White House said it was watching the situation closely and hoped the overthrow of the dictator meant a move towards democracy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "closely hoping", consider whether a more specific verb, like "anticipating" or "awaiting", might provide greater clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using multiple adverbs to modify a verb, as it can make your writing sound clumsy. Instead of "closely hoping", consider restructuring the sentence for better flow and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "closely hoping" functions as an adverbial modifier combined with a verb. It describes the manner in which someone is hoping, suggesting a combination of desire and careful observation or monitoring of a situation. Ludwig points out that it can sound awkward and recommends rewording for clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "closely hoping" implies a combination of desire and careful observation but can sound somewhat awkward. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically acceptable but not always the most natural phrasing, and often, a more precise verb might be preferable. While found in news, academic, and general contexts, "closely hoping" remains relatively rare. When writing, consider alternatives like "eagerly anticipating" or "watching with expectation" for increased clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

closely watching and expecting

Replaces "hoping" with "expecting", while the watching is closely.

eagerly anticipating

Replaces "hoping" with a stronger term for anticipation. Eagerly suggests a high level of interest or excitement.

keenly anticipating

Similar to eagerly anticipating, but with a more sophisticated tone.

anxiously awaiting

Similar to anticipating, but emphasizes worry or concern about the outcome.

intently expecting

Expresses a strong level of expectation. Replacing "hoping" with a stronger word.

carefully observing with anticipation

Replaces "closely hoping" with observing and anticipating.

watching with expectation

Emphasizes observation and a sense of expectation.

earnestly desiring

Replaces "hoping" with a more formal "desiring", emphasizing a sincere wish.

with great anticipation

With great anticipation and expectation of something good

confidently expecting

It conveys a feeling of strong belief that something will happen.

FAQs

Is "closely hoping" grammatically correct?

While technically grammatically sound, "closely hoping" isn't always the most natural phrasing. Alternatives like "eagerly anticipating" or "anxiously awaiting" might be more appropriate depending on the context.

What does "closely hoping" mean?

It suggests a strong desire for something to happen, combined with careful observation of the situation. However, it's often better to choose more precise verbs to convey the intended meaning.

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

You might say, "The investors are closely hoping for a positive earnings report." However, consider rephrasing to something like, "The investors are eagerly anticipating a positive earnings report."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "closely hoping"?

Consider alternatives like "keenly anticipating", "watching with expectation", or "intently expecting" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.