closely intimate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "closely intimate" is not commonly used in written English and may sound redundant.
It can be used to describe a relationship that is both very personal and deeply connected, but it may be better to choose a more standard expression. Example: "Their relationship was closely intimate, built on years of trust and understanding."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is still debated whether endotoxemia in influenza virus infection associates with the pathogenesis of IAE, but the IAE-like mouse model shows hypercytokinemia without direct influenza virus infection in the brain, and that is closely intimate histological and immunopathological features such as BBB breakdown seen in IAE patients.

Nature

Interactions among species with a higher degree of intimacy, such as ant-plants show a distinct pattern of structure (c), often with multiple distinct groups (modules) of closely intimate associations (Guimarães et al. 2007).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But the real showstoppers on "Nashville" have been something else: small songs, sung closely, in intimate rooms.

The New York Times - Arts

He observes them so closely, enters such intimate communion with them, that finally he becomes one.

The Guardian - Books

It's not physical violence, but it's dangerous because it happens between people who live closely or are intimate.

The Guardian - Books

Jhumpa Lahiri's quietly dazzling new novel, "The Namesake," is that rare thing: an intimate, closely observed family portrait that effortlessly and discreetly unfolds to disclose a capacious social vision.

The New York Times - Books

But had Descartes reflected more closely on the intimate union of the mind and body in man, he would have concluded with Desgabets, that our ideas of body and mind are equally clear, and equally evident.

SEP

In looking closely at the intimate nature of our technological interactions, she turns the idea of "here" on its head in totally unexpected ways.

Vice

This division of transcriptional focus closely mirrors the intimate morphogenetic relationship that has evolved between mitosis and building of the daughter parasites and invasion organelles.

Plosone

"I was frankly surprised to see Thiel attempt to closely associate IPPA [the Intimate Privacy Protection Act] with the Gawker case," University of Miami law professor Mary Anne Franks said over email.

Vice

Hepworth's version of the paired birds was both more intimate and more closely observed.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "closely intimate" is understandable, consider using stronger, less redundant alternatives like "deeply intimate" or "intimately connected" to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid stacking similar adjectives. Instead of "closely intimate", opt for a single, powerful adjective that conveys the intended meaning more effectively. Redundancy can weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "closely intimate" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a high degree of personal connection and familiarity. Ludwig suggests this usage, while acceptable, might be improved with more concise alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "closely intimate" is used to describe something that is both near or connected and deeply personal. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase is grammatically acceptable but may sound redundant. Given its infrequent usage and potential for redundancy, consider stronger, single-word alternatives like "deeply intimate" or rephrasing for clarity. When aiming to emphasize a strong personal bond, depth of familiarity, or intense connection consider using intimately connected or deeply intimate for better impact. Ludwig examples show it appears in Science and News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply intimate

Emphasizes the depth of the intimacy, suggesting a profound connection.

intimately connected

Highlights the intertwined nature of the relationship or elements.

closely connected

Similar to "intimately connected" but slightly less intense in its implication of depth.

very close

Focuses on the proximity and bond between individuals or entities.

deeply personal

Highlights the private and sensitive nature of the relationship or topic.

very familiar

Indicates a high degree of knowledge and understanding, suggesting a comfortable closeness.

personally familiar

Emphasizes the personal aspect of knowing someone or something well.

closely acquainted

Focuses on the familiarity and knowledge gained through close association.

extremely similar

Stresses a high degree of resemblance or likeness.

nearly identical

Emphasizes resemblance and similarity, with only minor differences.

FAQs

What does "closely intimate" mean?

The phrase "closely intimate" suggests a relationship or connection that is both very near or detailed and deeply personal or private. It often describes a deep level of familiarity and understanding between entities.

What can I say instead of "closely intimate"?

You can use alternatives like "deeply intimate", "intimately connected", or "very close" depending on the context.

Is "closely intimate" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "closely intimate" can be considered somewhat redundant. "Intimate" already implies closeness, so using "closely" may not add significant meaning and could be seen as stylistically weak.

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

Example: "Their relationship was "closely intimate", built on years of shared experiences and mutual trust." However, consider if a stronger, single adjective might be more impactful.