closest possible time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "closest possible time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when requesting or indicating the urgency of an action or response. Example: "Please respond to my email at the closest possible time, as I need the information urgently."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Where their financial year did not run from January to December, records for the closest possible time period (e.g. March 2009 February 201010) were obtained.

BMC Veterinary Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Controls were randomly selected asymptomatic women who had breast cancer screening with digital mammography in our institution over the closest possible overlapping time period (2005 2006) where digital mammography was available to the general screening population and had raw digital mammograms available.

Breast Cancer Research

Matching criteria included recruitment center, age at enrollment (±6 months), time of day of blood collection (±1 h), follow-up time (as close as possible), time between blood draw and last consumption of food or drinks (<3, 3 6, >6 h).

Cancer Causes and Control

Matching criteria included: recruitment centre, age at enrolment (±6 months), time of day of blood collection (±1 h), follow-up time (as close as possible), time between blood draw and last consumption of food or drinks (<3, 3 6, >6 h).

British Journal of Cancer

As mentioned, the average age of newborns at the beginning of treatment is around 45.5 hours of life, a value very close to the possible time of hospital discharge.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

This value is close to the minimum possible time of family formation that can be calculated using the duplication rate estimates of Lynch and Conery [ 24] and non-linear rational BDIMs.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

There are certain days when we've closed earlier than the latest possible time due to inclement weather".

BBC

Strike threatens to close Ebola clinic in Sierra Leone at the worst possible time.

Vice

Efforts were made to match the operating parameters as close as possible (residence time, extrusion temperature and screw speed).

European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics

HbA1c was measured during the meetings at 0, 13, and 23 weeks or as close as possible in time to the meetings.

Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics

The unaffected controls (mean age=55, range=26 83) were recruited as close as possible in time to the cases, from breast outpatient and mammographic screening clinics.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "closest possible time", ensure the context clearly defines what event or deadline the time is relative to. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the recipient understands the urgency.

Common error

Avoid using "closest possible time" in situations that do not require immediate action. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your requests seem less sincere or more demanding than intended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "closest possible time" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb, indicating the urgency or the lack of delay in performing an action relative to a specific event. It is frequently used in contexts where immediacy is important.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "closest possible time" is a grammatically sound phrase used to convey urgency and the need for prompt action, especially in relation to a specific event or deadline. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While versatile across various contexts, it appears more frequently in scientific, news, and business settings, indicating a neutral to formal tone. When employing this phrase, clarity is crucial, and it should be reserved for situations genuinely requiring immediacy to maintain its impact. For situations not requiring urgency, it's best to chose alternatives such as "as soon as you can".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earliest opportunity

Emphasizes acting without delay, focusing on seizing the first chance available.

soonest available moment

Highlights the lack of delay and the prompt readiness of a specific instant.

immediate chance

Stresses the lack of delay and the prompt readiness of a specific instant.

most proximate moment

Uses more formal language to indicate the nearest point in time.

nearest feasible instance

Focuses on practicality and the closest achievable point in time.

next best time

Implies some compromise from the ideal time, but still aiming for proximity.

quickest timeframe

Highlights the speed at which something can be done.

very next instance

Focuses on something happening right after something else.

immediate immediacy

Highlights urgency to another level.

instant availability

Highlights immediate usability

FAQs

How can I use "closest possible time" in a sentence?

You can use "closest possible time" to express urgency or to request prompt action. For example, "Please submit your reports at the "closest possible time" so we can finalize the budget."

What phrases are similar to "closest possible time"?

Alternatives include "as soon as possible", "at the earliest opportunity", or "immediately", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is there a difference between "closest possible time" and "as soon as possible"?

"Closest possible time" emphasizes the relative nearness to a specific event or point in time, whereas "as soon as possible" is a more general expression of urgency without a specific reference point.

When is it appropriate to use "closest possible time" instead of "as soon as you can"?

Use "closest possible time" when the timing is dependent on or related to a specific event or deadline. "As soon as you can" is suitable for less time-sensitive requests where the exact timing is not critical.