closely owned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "closely owned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a business or entity that is owned by a small number of individuals or a single entity, indicating limited ownership. Example: "The company is closely owned, which allows for quick decision-making and a strong alignment of interests among the owners."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Given that it has sold these shares at discounts, it bodes ill for the stock of the weaker ones that the government still holds, many of which are closely owned and more difficult to unload.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Founded in 1974, Glencore is a closely held company owned by its employees and management.

The New York Times

Newspapers owned by closely held companies, like Newhouse and Hearst, are not exempt.

The New York Times

NAI is a closely held private company, owned 80% by Redstone and 20% by Shari with substantial real estate holdings.

Forbes

Not having a car, I don't follow gas prices as closely as when I owned one.

TechCrunch

Many students are reluctant, at first, to examine closely their own ideas and their own constructions, precisely as they find it difficult to examine themselves.

Science Magazine

On the other hand, the sports coats I do own closely resemble it.

The New Yorker

How closely their own experiences actually hewed to Mr. Clark's bleak vision is hard to know.

The New York Times

The hosts have traditionally made jokes about politicians of all stripes, and have closely guarded their own political preferences, as Mr. Leno always had until Tuesday night.

The New York Times

Leslie Keno, the Americana specialist at Sotheby's, said the Metropolitan Museum of Art owns a closely related example.

The New York Times - Arts

Or are they entirely different from you? Yael's job in the army most closely resembles my own, although her stories are certainly not my own.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a company as "closely owned", ensure you clarify the implications, such as limited public scrutiny or concentrated decision-making power.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "closely owned" automatically implies negative aspects like lack of transparency; it can also mean greater agility and focus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "closely owned" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun (e.g., company, business, entity). It describes the nature of ownership, indicating that the ownership is concentrated within a small group or individual. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "closely owned" is a grammatically sound adjective phrase used to describe entities with concentrated ownership. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correctly used in English, although it's a relatively rare phrase. The phrase mainly appears in news and media contexts, often in discussions about business and finance. When using this phrase, ensure that you provide context about the implications of this ownership structure. Alternatives such as "privately held" or "family-owned" may be more appropriate depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Closely held

Similar meaning, emphasizing restriction of ownership transfer.

Privately held

Focuses on the non-public nature of the ownership.

Privately owned

Focuses on non-governmental ownership.

Controlled company

Ownership structure where a single entity has significant influence.

Family-owned

Highlights the familial relationship among the owners.

Individually owned

Emphasizes single-person ownership.

Owner-managed

Highlights the owner's involvement in daily operations.

Small business

Implies a limited scale and potentially close ownership.

Limited partnership

Legal structure with restricted partner involvement.

Restricted stock

Shares with limitations on transferability.

FAQs

What does "closely owned" mean?

The term "closely owned" describes a business or entity where the ownership is concentrated among a small number of individuals or a single entity, often implying limited public trading of its shares.

How does a "closely owned" company differ from a publicly traded one?

Unlike publicly traded companies with numerous shareholders, a "closely owned" company has a limited number of owners, which can lead to quicker decision-making and less regulatory scrutiny.

What are the advantages of a company being "closely owned"?

Advantages can include greater control by the owners, simplified management structures, and the ability to make strategic decisions without the need to satisfy a large shareholder base.

What are some alternatives to "closely owned"?

You can use alternatives like "privately held", "closely held", or "family-owned" depending on the specific context.