closing the contract

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "closing the contract" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the finalization or completion of a contractual agreement between parties. Example: "After several negotiations, we are finally ready for closing the contract next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If it is happens again TfL should seriously consider closing the contract".

The Guardian

For the enterprise software company, did the cost of closing the contract exceed its value to the company, and if so by what multiple?

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I think we can close the contract quickly".

The Guardian - Sport

That review has now been completed, and notice has been given to close the contract with the technology company FSB, which provided the interactive service.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's not closed, the contract.

BBC

"If we just close the contracts that we're currently negotiating, we'll double last year's sales," she said.

The New York Times

That is because the decisions were based on conclusions that the banks had met their duty to provide advice on how the customers could close the contracts and keep the losses from growing.

The New York Times

Lucent "couldn't close the contracts because their customers couldn't get the financing," said Patrick Houghton, an analyst at investment firm Sutro & Co. in San Francisco.

Forbes

SSE said it would incur a penalty charge of around £33m if it breaches the contract by closing the units.

The Guardian

He recalls recently a firm there that "snatched defeat from the jaws of victory" by refusing to convene the early board meeting needed to close the deal (the contract went to the second-placed Polish company).

The Economist

Muscles in the anal ring (the muscles surrounding the anus) rest in a contracted position, closing the anus.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about contracts, be precise about the stage you're describing. Use "closing the contract" to specifically refer to the final stage of finalizing or terminating a contractual agreement, rather than general discussions or negotiations.

Common error

Avoid using "closing the contract" when you mean to say the contract was terminated due to a breach or disagreement. "Closing" typically implies a successful completion or a mutual agreement to end the contract under agreed terms.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "closing the contract" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid. It describes the action of finalizing or terminating a formal agreement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "closing the contract" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that refers to the finalization or termination of a contractual agreement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is valid in written English. While not extremely common, it appears frequently in news and media contexts, as well as in encyclopedias and wiki articles. When using this phrase, it's important to be precise about whether you're referring to the successful completion of a contract or its termination, and to avoid confusing it with other stages of the contract lifecycle, such as negotiation. Alternatives such as "finalizing the contract" or "executing the contract" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finalizing the contract

Emphasizes the act of completing the contract's details and making it ready for execution.

executing the contract

Focuses on the formal signing and implementation of the contract.

completing the contract

Highlights the fulfillment of all obligations outlined in the contract.

terminating the contract

Specifically denotes the ending of the contract before its natural completion.

concluding the agreement

Offers a more general term for finalizing any kind of agreement, including contracts.

cancelling the contract

Indicates a deliberate decision to void the contract.

honoring the contract

Highlights the respect for the contract terms and its due completion

vitiating the contract

A legal term for impairing the validity of the contract.

settling the contract

Implies resolving all outstanding issues and obligations related to the contract.

discharging the contract

Formal term suggesting that all contract obligations have been fulfilled and the contract is no longer in effect.

FAQs

What does "closing the contract" mean?

The phrase "closing the contract" refers to the finalization or completion of a contractual agreement, or the mutual agreement to end it under specific agreed-upon terms.

What's a more formal way to say "closing the contract"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "executing the contract", "finalizing the contract", or "discharging the contract", depending on the specific context.

Can "closing the contract" refer to terminating a contract?

While "closing the contract" generally implies completion, it can also refer to mutually agreeing to end a contract before its natural term. If the contract is terminated due to a breach, it's more accurate to say "terminating the contract".

What are some situations where you might use the phrase "closing the contract"?

You might use "closing the contract" when discussing the successful completion of a project under a contract, or when parties agree to end a contract early under specified terms.