developed close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "developed close" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an incomplete expression and lacks clarity without additional context. Example: "The team developed close relationships during the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We have developed close relationships with support services such as child development agencies, shelters, and legal aid organizations in Bengaluru.

BMC Public Health

I never really developed close friends or loved ones.

The Guardian - Film

Allen developed close relations with Gaddafi's intelligence chief, Moussa Koussa, documents unearthed in Tripoli show.

The Guardian

As his staff grew, Father Duggins developed close ties with the Latin Kings.

The New York Times

"We have increasingly developed close relations between ourselves and Yemen," Mr. Cheney said.

The New York Times

And, over the decades, the researchers and their subjects have developed close bonds.

The New Yorker

He developed close, trusting relationships with them, which led to extraordinarily intimate photographs.

The Guardian - Arts

During this period he developed close relations with numerous influential Arab leaders.

Encyclopedia Britannica

American officials said that Mr. Awlaki had developed close ties to senior Shabab leaders.

The New York Times

Mr. Fayyad has been prime minister since 2007 and has developed close ties with Western leaders.

The New York Times

But Thomas had married a woman from Troy, N.Y., and developed close ties with her family.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing relationships or connections, use stronger verbs like "formed", "established", or "cultivated" instead of "developed" to improve grammatical correctness. For example, "They formed close relationships" sounds more natural than "They "developed close" relationships".

Common error

Avoid using "developed" directly with "close" to describe relationships. While "developed" implies growth or progress, it doesn't naturally pair with "close" to denote intimacy or strong bonds. Instead, specify what was developed, such as "developed close relationships" or "developed a close connection".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "developed close" functions as part of a verb phrase, typically aiming to describe the creation or progression of a relationship or connection. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase isn't grammatically correct, but shows that it is often found in sentences that are trying to indicate relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

13%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "developed close" is frequently used across various sources to indicate the formation of relationships or connections. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect, advising to use clearer and more specific language. While commonly found in news and media, alternative phrases such as "formed close ties" or "established a close connection" offer improved grammatical precision. Despite its widespread use, writers should strive for correctness by specifying the nature of the relationship being developed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formed close

Replaces "developed" with "formed" focusing on the act of creation or establishment of the connection.

established close

Similar to "formed close", but emphasizes the act of setting up or solidifying a connection.

cultivated close

Suggests a more intentional and nurtured development of the connection or relationship.

fostered close

Emphasizes the nurturing and support provided to help the connection grow.

built strong

Shifts the focus to the strength of the connection rather than just its proximity or closeness.

nurtured intimate

Highlights the personal and caring aspect of developing relationships.

maintained tight

Focuses on the active effort to keep the connection strong and resistant to separation.

promoted near

Suggests encouragement of spatial or conceptual proximity.

advanced adjacent

Focuses on making something or someone progress to a place near another.

achieved adjacent

Implies success in creating a state of nearness or proximity.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "developed" to describe relationships?

Instead of saying "developed close", specify what was developed, such as "developed close relationships" or "developed a close connection".

What are some alternatives to "developed close" that sound more natural?

More natural alternatives include "formed close", "established close", or "cultivated close" depending on the specific context.

Is "developed close" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, "developed close" is not grammatically ideal. It's better to clarify what kind of relationship or connection was developed. For example: "developed close ties" or "developed close bonds".

Which is better, "developed close ties" or "formed close ties"?

"Formed close ties" is generally preferred as it more clearly indicates the creation of a strong connection, while "developed close ties" is also acceptable but less direct.