closer to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "closer to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate proximity in distance, time, or similarity between two things. Example: "The new restaurant is closer to my house than the old one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Moving closer to the table.

The New Yorker

"We're closer to the edge.

The New York Times

D'Angelo slid closer to Nell.

The New Yorker

They're much closer to phantasmagoria".

The New York Times

I'd say closer to 80".

The New York Times

Today it's closer to 500.

The New York Times - Magazine

To get closer to Qaddafi?

The New Yorker

You are closer to Turkey.

Independent

Maybe closer to 80 percent".

The New York Times

You must look closer to the painting".

The New York Times - Arts

(The worldwide average is closer to 350).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "closer to" when comparing distances, relationships, or degrees of similarity to provide a sense of relative nearness or approximation.

Common error

Avoid using "closer to" without specifying what is being compared. For example, instead of saying "The deadline is closer to", specify "The deadline is closer to Friday than Monday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "closer to" primarily functions as a comparative, indicating that something is in greater proximity or similarity to another thing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it expresses nearness in both physical and abstract senses, evident in examples like "moving closer to the table" and "closer to 80 percent".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Closer to" is a versatile comparative phrase that denotes nearness, either physically or metaphorically. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, it serves to express relative proximity or similarity. When using "closer to", ensure a clear comparison is made to avoid ambiguity. The related phrases offer alternative ways to express similar meanings, enriching your writing. Avoid using it without a clear comparison to ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearer to

Indicates a lesser distance, either physically or metaphorically, similar to "closer to" but with a slightly different emphasis.

in closer proximity to

Represents a more emphatic form of the original phrase, stressing the reduced distance.

more adjacent to

Suggests physical proximity or adjacency, focusing on the spatial relationship.

in proximity to

Emphasizes being in the general vicinity without necessarily decreasing the distance.

approaching

Focuses on the action of getting nearer, either literally or figuratively.

drawing near to

Implies a gradual reduction in distance, often with a sense of anticipation or inevitability.

verging on

Indicates a state of almost being something, implying a similarity or transition.

in the neighborhood of

Suggests a loose approximation, often used for numerical values or abstract concepts.

bordering on

Highlights the state of being very similar or almost identical to something.

moving toward

Describes the act of advancing in a specific direction, whether physical or abstract.

FAQs

How can I use "closer to" in a sentence?

You can use "closer to" to indicate physical proximity, such as "The store is "nearer to" my house than yours". You can also use it to describe abstract concepts like similarity or progress, such as "We are getting "closer to" reaching our goals".

What is a synonym for "closer to"?

Synonyms for "closer to" include "nearer to", "adjacent to", "in proximity to", or "approaching", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "close to" or "closer to"?

"Close to" indicates a state of nearness, while "closer to" implies a comparison. For example, "The station is close to the library" versus "The station is "closer to" the library than the park".

When should I use "closer to" instead of "close to"?

Use "closer to" when you are comparing the proximity of two or more things. For example, "This color is "closer to" blue than it is to green". Use "close to" when you are simply stating that something is near or approximate, without making a comparison.