closely study

USAGE SUMMARY

"closely study" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to examine or analyze something carefully and in great detail. Example: In order to fully understand the intricacies of the scientific experiment, the researchers had to closely study the data for several months.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

They closely study monthly payments, which depend on interest rates.

The New York Times

The data-led approach has been pioneered by companies like Netflix and Amazon, which closely study how people watch shows to decide where budgets should be spent.

The Guardian

They also used CT scanning to closely study the embedded bone point to confirm that it was a hunting tool.

The New York Times - Science

In a nod to Apple's work with aluminum, Microsoft began to closely study materials that could be used to create a distinctive case for a tablet.

The New York Times - Tech

But the books, which closely study police procedure, feature an ensemble of his colleagues, all believable characters drawn with the lightest of touches.

The Economist

"We will closely study the U.S. proposal and hope we can help implement a modern cross-border transportation system that provides certainty for trucking companies and shippers throughout North America".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

They have closely studied suspects, looking for mental quirks.

The New York Times

He began hybridizing and closely studying plant behavior and characteristics.

The New York Times

By closely studying photographs, terrorists could improve their chances of finding vulnerable points.

The New York Times

Too bad, again, that E! hasn't more closely studied the "Behind the Music" playbook.

The New York Times - Arts

He closely studied the fall-out of their coming outs, too, he says, and felt empowered.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "closely study", ensure the context clarifies why the subject is being studied closely. For example, "Scientists closely study the effects of climate change to predict future trends" is more informative than simply, "Scientists closely study climate change".

Common error

Avoid using "closely study" excessively in very formal or academic writing where more precise verbs like "analyze", "investigate", or "scrutinize" might be more appropriate. Varying your vocabulary can enhance the sophistication of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "closely study" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of examining something with great attention and detail. As evidenced by Ludwig, it commonly precedes a noun or noun phrase representing the object of the study.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "closely study" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that signifies examining something with considerable attention to detail. According to Ludwig, it is appropriate across a range of contexts, but especially prevalent in the news and media and scientific writing. While versatile, it is important to consider whether more specific synonyms like "analyze" or "scrutinize" might be more fitting in highly formal contexts. The phrase's neutral register makes it a reliable choice for conveying thorough investigation without sounding overly academic or informal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

examine in detail

Replaces "study" with "examine" and adds "in detail" to emphasize thoroughness.

analyze carefully

Substitutes "study" with "analyze" and "closely" with "carefully" to convey meticulous examination.

scrutinize thoroughly

Uses "scrutinize" to indicate a very detailed inspection and "thoroughly" to reinforce completeness.

investigate meticulously

Replaces "study" with "investigate" implying a systematic inquiry conducted meticulously.

review extensively

Uses "review" implying assessment or survey and adds "extensively" to indicate breadth and depth.

observe intently

Switches from intellectual examination to visual observation with focused attention denoted by "intently".

delve into deeply

Emphasizes immersion and depth of exploration rather than just surface-level study.

research comprehensively

Highlights systematic and complete research rather than casual study.

give close attention to

Shifts from active studying to providing concentrated focus or attentiveness.

pore over

Implies studying with intense focus and concentration, often involving documents or texts.

FAQs

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

You can use "closely study" to describe a careful and detailed examination of something. For example, "Researchers "closely study" the data to identify patterns".

What can I say instead of "closely study"?

Alternatives include "examine in detail", "analyze carefully", or "scrutinize thoroughly". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Which is correct: "closely study" or "close study"?

"Closely study" is the correct phrase. "Close study" can be used but typically refers to something being the object of careful study (e.g. 'The document is a subject of close study').

What's the difference between "closely study" and "analyze carefully"?

"Closely study" implies a general in-depth examination, while "analyze carefully" suggests a more structured and methodical approach to understanding the components of something.