coming back close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "coming back close" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where someone is returning to a location or situation that is near, but it lacks clarity and specificity. Example: "After a long journey, I found myself coming back close to where I started."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The piece finds Mr. Sierra coming back close to the Piano Etudes of his teacher, Gyorgy Ligeti, not such a bad place to be.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

My vertigo and dizzy issues seemed to almost completely subside, and my balance was coming back closer to what it was pre-accident.

Huffington Post

He had the test, and when his PSA reading came back close to 5, he elected to have a biopsy (4 is the cut-off at which doctors usually recommend the procedure).

The New York Times - Health

"I think about all the work I still have to do and what I want to do better for the team, but it's kind of nice to come back close to home and be able to cool down after practice with my brother".

The New York Times - Sports

His American works – which include his Fourth Quartet (1936) and concertos for violin (1935 6) and piano (1942) – have a new largeness and richness, often because they come back close to tonality.

BBC

He comes back close to me and says, "You know it's weird because you just wrote an article on Thought Catalog about wanting more gay friends, but it appears to me that you're doing just fine in that department".

Vice

He comes back close to me and says, "You know it's weird because you just wrote an article on Thought Catalog about wanting more gay friends but it appears to me that you're doing just fine in that department".

Vice

Once the weed seeds come back close to the soil surface they will readily germinate.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

When you're first starting out, your biggest concern is making sure the ball comes back close to your hand, but eventually you need to make sure the ball comes back to your hand as quickly and with as much force and control as possible.

WikiHow

Team officials had asked Curry to come back closer to 300 pounds.

The New York Times - Sports

Mario Lemieux came back closer to his prime than any of them.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more precise language to clarify the intended meaning. Instead of "coming back close", specify the type of return and the proximity, for example, "returning to a nearby location".

Common error

Avoid using "coming back close" when the degree of closeness is important. Instead, quantify the proximity or specify the relationship, such as "returning to within a mile" or "reapproaching the original agreement".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "coming back close" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a return to a location or state that is near the original point. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not standard in written English and lacks clarity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "coming back close" is used to describe a return to a location or state that is near the original point. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as non-standard and lacking clarity. While it appears in various contexts, particularly in news and media sources, its vagueness can be problematic. For improved clarity, it's recommended to use more precise alternatives such as "returning nearby" or specifying the degree of proximity. Overall, while understandable, "coming back close" is best replaced with more explicit language for formal or technical writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

getting close again

Emphasizes the process of nearing a state or location previously visited.

returning nearby

Changes the verb "coming" to "returning" and replaces "close" with "nearby" to denote proximity in return.

approaching again

Replaces "coming back" with "approaching again" to emphasize the act of nearing something once more.

returning to proximity

A more formal way of expressing a return to a nearby location.

nearing the starting point

Focuses on returning to an initial position or condition.

drawing nearer

Suggests a gradual approach or return to a location or situation.

closing the distance

Highlights reducing the gap or space between two points, implying a return.

recovering ground

Implies regaining lost progress or position, suggesting a return to a previous state.

retracing steps

Focuses on the act of going back along a path already traveled.

coming full circle

Indicates a return to the original state or situation after a series of events.

FAQs

What does "coming back close" mean?

The phrase "coming back close" lacks a standard definition. It generally suggests a return to a location or situation that is nearby or almost reached, but the exact meaning can vary based on context. Using more precise language is recommended.

How can I rephrase "coming back close" for better clarity?

Alternatives include "returning nearby", "approaching again", or "getting close again", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is "coming back close" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "coming back close" is not considered grammatically standard. It's better to use more precise and common alternatives to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

What is the difference between "coming back close" and "coming close to"?

"Coming close to" typically implies nearly achieving a goal or reaching a state, while "coming back close" suggests a return to a location or situation that is nearby after a departure. The former focuses on achievement, and the latter on proximity during a return.