closest to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "closest to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate proximity or similarity in relation to something else. Example: "The temperature today is closest to what we experienced last summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Closest to the door was José Tercera.

The New York Times

Closest to the exit, just in case.

The New York Times

The mountains remain closest to my heart.

The New York Times

But she was closest to her mother.

The New York Times - Magazine

Disney was probably the closest to Steve.

The New York Times

It was closest to his heart.

The New York Times

Closest to the HMS Quad.

Harvard University

The closest to it wins.

The New York Times

Salomonsson came closest to scoring.

The New York Times - Sports

He's closest to my values.

The New York Times

"He starts closest to home.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "closest to", ensure the context clearly defines what is being measured, whether it's physical distance, similarity, or another abstract concept.

Common error

Avoid using "closest to" when the comparison isn't clearly defined, which can lead to ambiguity. Always specify the criteria for closeness to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "closest to" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase. It typically modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating the highest degree of proximity, similarity, or approximation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

16%

Huffington Post

13%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Science

9%

The Guardian

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "closest to" is a very common prepositional phrase used to denote proximity, similarity, or approximation. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct. As illustrated by Ludwig, it's versatile enough for diverse contexts, including news, academia, and general writing. When clarity is paramount, be mindful of the comparison criteria. Alternatives include "nearest to" and "most similar to", each nuanced for specific situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearest to

Indicates physical proximity or the shortest distance.

most adjacent to

Highlights immediate physical nearness or adjacency.

most proximate to

A more formal way of expressing nearness or immediacy.

most similar to

Emphasizes resemblance rather than physical proximity.

most analogous to

Focuses on a strong comparison or likeness.

most akin to

Indicates a close relationship or similarity in nature.

most resembling

Highlights the quality of looking or seeming like something else.

most approximate to

Suggests an estimated or near match.

in close proximity to

A more verbose way of indicating physical nearness.

bordering on

Implies something is very close to being in a particular state or condition.

FAQs

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

You can use "closest to" to indicate proximity or similarity. For example, "The nearest star is "closest to our solar system"" or "This shade of blue is "closest to the original color"".

What are some alternatives to "closest to"?

Some alternatives include "nearest to", "most similar to", or "most proximate to" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "closest to" and "nearest to"?

While "closest to" and "nearest to" are often interchangeable, "closest to" can also imply a non-physical similarity, whereas "nearest to" usually refers to physical distance. For example, you might say, "That's "closest to the truth"", but you wouldn't say, "That's nearest to the truth".

When should I use "closest to" versus "most similar to"?

Use "closest to" when indicating minimal distance or a short interval. Use "most similar to" when comparing qualities or characteristics. For example, "The gas station is "closest to my house"" versus "This painting is "most similar to Van Gogh's style"".