closely like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "closely like" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not typically used in standard English, and it may confuse readers due to its awkward construction. Example: "The two paintings are closely like each other in style and color."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

On the surface, the cells spread closely, like a monolayer.

Surface and Coatings Technology

The man picked up one and studied it closely, like a fisherman who knows the rules.

The New Yorker

"When you live with people so closely like you do in baseball, you learn how to deal with people".

The New York Times - Sports

Then there are those authors who listen a bit less closely, like the several who have named books for R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion".

The New York Times

This is partly because he observes people so closely – like a brilliant caricaturist, he has a formidable eye for foibles, idiosyncracies and character.

The Guardian - Arts

IN THE dusty hills north of Madrid, in low-slung buildings guarded closely like bank vaults of old, are the rows of servers that run the far-flung banking empire of Santander, a big international bank.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Breton A Celtic language spoken in the French province of Brittany, closely liked to Cornish.

Independent

You work so closely with like-minded people.

The Guardian

Sparsely and closely flower-like WO3·H2O hierarchical architectures were successfully synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal process.

Materials Letters

We're communicating in support of a policy outcome, of course, but we also closely monitor likes, followers, shares, views and sentiment.

The Guardian

At 25°C, the formation of most likely closely packed onion-like vesicles with broad vesicle size distribution has been seen.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "closely like" in formal writing. Opt for more standard phrases such as "similar to" or "closely resembles" to maintain clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Do not directly substitute "closely like" where "similar to" or "resembling" would be more appropriate. "Closely like" often sounds awkward and is not considered standard English. Instead, rephrase to use stronger verbs or more conventional prepositions to establish similarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "closely like" functions as an attempt to express similarity or resemblance. However, as indicated by Ludwig AI, this construction is not grammatically sound in standard English. Examples show its use in describing resemblances or comparisons, but alternatives are generally preferred.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

35%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "closely like" appears in various sources, including news, scientific, and academic contexts, it is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. Ludwig AI indicates that it's better to use alternatives such as "similar to", "closely resembles", or "akin to". Although it is used to express similarity or resemblance, the infrequency and the availability of better alternatives suggest avoiding "closely like" in favor of more established and grammatically sound expressions. The phrase is more common in news and media sources but, overall, remains uncommon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

similar to

Replaces the entire phrase with a more grammatically correct expression of similarity.

resembling

Focuses on visual similarity and substitutes "like" with a single word.

closely resembles

Maintains the emphasis on proximity in similarity, but uses a more acceptable verb.

akin to

Offers a more formal way of expressing similarity.

much like

Emphasizes a high degree of similarity using standard phrasing.

comparable to

Highlights the ability to draw a comparison.

bears a close resemblance to

Provides a longer, more descriptive alternative emphasizing visual similarity.

closely approximates

Replaces "like" with a verb that suggests nearing a certain state or condition.

in a similar fashion to

Emphasizes the way something is done or occurs, rather than direct similarity.

along the lines of

Suggests similarity in concept or idea rather than direct resemblance.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically sound alternative to "closely like"?

Instead of "closely like", you can use phrases such as "similar to", "closely resembles", or "akin to" for better clarity and adherence to standard English grammar.

Is "closely like" considered grammatically correct in formal writing?

No, "closely like" is generally not considered grammatically correct in formal writing. It's better to use alternatives like "similar to" or "resembles" to ensure your writing is clear and professional.

How can I rephrase a sentence using "closely like" to be more precise?

To be more precise, replace "closely like" with a more descriptive phrase. For example, instead of "It looks closely like an apple", try "It closely resembles an apple in shape and color" or "It is similar to an apple, but smaller".

What are some common mistakes people make when using phrases similar to "closely like"?

A common mistake is using "closely like" interchangeably with "similar to" without considering the grammatical implications. While the intention is to express similarity, the construction of "closely like" often results in awkward or incorrect phrasing. Always opt for established expressions to avoid confusion.