far closer

USAGE SUMMARY

"far closer" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that one thing is much closer to something else than it might otherwise appear. For example: "We are far closer to our objectives than we realized."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

But there is a far closer comparison.

The New York Times

Certainly he got far closer than Lamouchi.

The Guardian - Sport

Peace, in that case, would be far closer.

The Economist

The world needs to pay far closer attention," he said.

The Guardian

The actual rate is probably far closer to zero".

The New Yorker

Now such horrors seem far closer to us.

The Guardian

Now it was suggested that there was far closer arrangement.

The Guardian

And Mr. McDonough is far closer to the president than they are.

The New York Times

The boats can also sail far closer to land because of their shallow drafts.

The Economist

Most businesses kept on using Tianjin's far closer and better-developed facilities.

The Economist

Goldman, he adds, "has come far closer — repeatedly — to financial collapse than its reputation would attest".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "far closer" to emphasize a significant degree of proximity, either physical or metaphorical, exceeding what might be initially expected.

Common error

Avoid using "far closer" when the added emphasis is unnecessary or redundant. Simply using "closer" can often suffice for clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far closer" functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the adjective "closer". According to Ludwig, it emphasizes that something is significantly nearer or more alike than initially perceived. This is confirmed by the numerous examples available.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "far closer" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that serves to emphasize a significant degree of proximity or similarity. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's common in contexts where you want to underscore that something is much nearer or more aligned than initially assumed. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific sources, it maintains a neutral tone, making it versatile for various writing styles. While effective, it's advisable to avoid redundancy by reserving it for situations where the added emphasis truly enhances the intended meaning. The many real-world examples available confirm that "far closer" is a valid and impactful phrase for conveying enhanced proximity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much nearer

Focuses solely on physical proximity rather than figurative closeness.

significantly closer

Highlights the degree of proximity or similarity to a greater extent.

considerably closer

Emphasizes the notable increase in closeness or resemblance.

vastly nearer

Implies an expansive difference in proximity.

markedly closer

Focuses on the noticeable difference in proximity or resemblance.

substantially nearer

Indicates a significant amount of closeness.

considerably nearer

Emphasizes a significant degree of closeness.

appreciably closer

Highlights that the increase in closeness is easily perceived.

infinitely nearer

Suggests an unlimited increase in proximity.

noticeably closer

Emphasizes that the proximity is easily recognized.

FAQs

How can I use "far closer" in a sentence?

Use "far closer" to emphasize a significant degree of nearness, whether physical or abstract. For example, "The solution is "far closer" than we initially thought".

What are some alternatives to "far closer"?

Alternatives include "much nearer", "significantly closer", or "considerably closer" depending on the specific context.

Is it more correct to say "far closer" or "much closer"?

Both "far closer" and "much closer" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the desired emphasis. "Far closer" typically suggests a greater degree of unexpected proximity.

What's the difference between "closer" and "far closer"?

"Closer" indicates a general increase in proximity. "Far closer" emphasizes a substantial or surprising increase in proximity compared to expectations.