closer

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "closer" is correct and usable in written English.
It typically acts as an adverb and is used to describe a physical or figurative stance ("getting closer"/"moving closer"), being increasingly near in time ("as we get closer to the deadline"), or to indicate an approach to an end or completion ("let's try to get this project finished as quickly as possible, so we can be closer to achieving our goal"). Example sentence: As we get closer to the end of the month, we should focus our efforts on completing the project on time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Greek voters are equally certain that it's unfair for them to suffer years of slim government budgets and high unemployment in order to repay foreign banks and richer northern neighbors, which have reaped outsized benefits from closer European integration.

The New York Times

In Lebanon the figure is closer to 14 percent.

The New York Times

Early on, back when Underwood was a hungry whip who'd stab his own grandmother if it would inch him closer to power, you'd see him indiscriminately spraying bullets around at clusters of enemies in Call of Duty.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

(It may have banged another nail into the coffin of elected local authorities with its suggestion that electoral officials need closer central supervision and more uniform standards).

The Guardian

Officials are concerned that an airlift back to Australia could take at least 30 hours, during which time the person could die, and a more suitable arrangement would be an evacuation to a closer country.

The Guardian

He squints closer and closer to try to see the vein and with unsteady hands he tries several more times.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Economic analysts had forecasted a jump closer to 40-60%.

The Guardian

But one, by ICM for Scotland on Sunday, found that one in 10 no voters would switch to support independence if there was no clear pledge to give Holyrood more power before the referendum is held, bringing the yes campaign closer to winning the vote.

The Guardian

The visit was ostensibly to coincide with the party's announcement that it would put £2.5bn towards a care closer to home fund, which would put money into providing care options that avoid hospital admissions for older people.

The Guardian

This is not to judge disadvantaged students by a different standard; but by the same standard, just through intelligent use of data to drive lower offers rather than merely "flagging" a candidate for closer assessment.

The Guardian

The closer a residence was to the water pump in Broad Street (now called Broadwick Street), the greater the number of deaths – with a few telling exceptions coming from properties that had their own water sources.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "closer" to describe a relationship, consider whether "more intimate" or "more connected" might provide a more nuanced meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "closer" when "close" is grammatically correct. "Close" is an adjective meaning near, while "closer" is the comparative form used to indicate a greater degree of nearness.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "closer" is as a comparative adjective. It modifies a noun by indicating a greater degree of nearness or proximity, either physically or figuratively. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates increased proximity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "closer" functions as a comparative adjective to indicate nearness or proximity, both physically and figuratively. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility across various contexts. While frequently encountered in News & Media, it is important to differentiate its use from "close" and avoid redundant constructions like "more closer". By considering its semantic nuances and context, writers can effectively use "closer" to convey progress, connection, or intensity in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearer

Indicates physical or metaphorical proximity, similar to "closer" but can sometimes imply a smaller degree of change.

in closer proximity

Emphasizes the state of being near, often used in formal contexts to highlight the reduced distance.

more adjacent

Focuses on spatial proximity, suggesting items or locations that are next to each other to a greater degree.

drawing nearer

Suggests movement or progression towards closeness, highlighting the approach.

more intimately

Implies a closer relationship or understanding, focusing on emotional or personal closeness.

advancing nearer

Combines the idea of progression with nearness, indicating a forward movement towards a point.

progressing further

Highlights advancement towards a goal or state, suggesting movement beyond a current position.

in tighter range

Focuses on reducing the scope or distance, often used in technical or strategic contexts.

within earshot

Refers to the range of hearing, indicating that something is near enough to be heard.

more nearly

Indicates an approximation or similarity, suggesting that something is close to being something else.

FAQs

How is "closer" used in a sentence?

"Closer" is used as a comparative adjective to indicate a greater degree of nearness, for example, "The destination is getting "nearer"" or "We are "progressing further" to our goal".

What's the difference between "close" and "closer"?

"Close" describes something that is near. "Closer" is the comparative form, indicating something is more near. For example, "The store is close by", versus "The store is "nearer" than I thought".

What are some synonyms for "closer"?

Some synonyms for "closer" include "nearer", "more adjacent", or "in closer proximity", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "more closer"?

No, "more closer" is redundant. "Closer" is already a comparative adjective, so adding "more" is unnecessary. Use "closer" alone.