growing closely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "growing closely" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts discussing relationships or developments that are becoming more intimate or interconnected, but it is better to clarify the intended meaning. Example: "The two companies have been growing closely in their partnership over the last year."

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Aleklett K, Leff JW, Fierer N, Hart M. Wild plant species growing closely connected in a subalpine meadow host distinct root-associated bacterial communities.

Nature

Fruit bodies growing closely together often appear to fuse together (this is called "confluence").

Wikipedia

The four taxa in this study grow in similar habitats, growing closely together and often intertwined.

AoB PLANTS

A shift from the consumption of glucose to lactate represents a metabolic niche for cells growing closely to highly glycolytic, lactate-secreting tumour cells.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The plants often grow closely together, forming a dense mat, and are sometimes used as ground cover.

Britannica

At first Nora wonders what Maurice would have made of these new developments; in marriage, their thoughts and judgments had grown closely entwined.

The Guardian - Books

Without SERS micropipettes, it is very difficult to obtain the weak Raman signal of A549 cells grew closely attaching to the bottom of the culture dish, even by confocal microscopy.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The cap is dry, colored yellow to light orange to brown, and often develops an irregular shape, especially when it has grown closely crowded with adjacent fruit bodies.

Wikipedia

Mixed tumors present an additional level of complexity, where small islands of YST may grow closely with other subtypes such as IT.

Endocrine Reviews

The tendency of resistant cells to grow closely together suggests the possibility of inter-cell communication for the TNF resistant state.

British Journal of Cancer

On the one hand they take up space, growing so closely together once established that they exclude all other plants.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for stronger verbs such as "cultivating", "fostering", or "strengthening" to illustrate the active process of relationship development.

Common error

Don't use "growing closely" when you can provide a more precise description of the relationship or development. Terms like "converging", "coalescing", or "synergizing" can offer greater detail and reduce potential misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "growing closely" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a modifier to describe the manner in which something is developing or expanding. The Ludwig examples show its use across different contexts, each indicating a state of increasing proximity or integration.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "growing closely" describes increasing interconnection or intimacy, appearing across various contexts like science, news, and wiki sources. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI suggests that it may benefit from more specific alternatives for enhanced clarity. The phrase is of neutral register but relatively rare in usage. For improved writing, consider more descriptive terms like "developing intimately" or "flourishing together" to avoid ambiguity and increase impact. Use precision to replace "growing closely" with more informative terms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

developing intimately

Emphasizes a personal or emotional connection that is developing.

expanding intimately

Emphasizes a growth in close connection.

flourishing together

Suggests a mutual and positive development.

maturing in tandem

Indicates that the growth occurs simultaneously and in coordination.

progressing jointly

Highlights the shared aspect of the development.

cultivating togetherness

Focuses on intentionally creating a closer relationship.

advancing in union

Suggests that advancement is a result of being united.

evolving collaboratively

Highlights the cooperative nature of the growth.

integrating seamlessly

Indicates smooth incorporation and growth together.

melding harmoniously

Emphasizes the pleasant and unified nature of the growth.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "growing closely" in a sentence?

You can use "growing closely" to describe relationships or developments that are becoming more interconnected. For example, "The two companies are growing closely in their partnership."

What are some alternatives to "growing closely"?

Alternatives include "developing intimately", "flourishing together", or "maturing in tandem", depending on the specific context.

Is "growing closely" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "growing closely" is less common and may sound awkward. Consider using more precise alternatives to enhance clarity and impact.

When is it appropriate to use "growing closely"?

It is appropriate when emphasizing the increasing interconnectedness or intimacy of a relationship or development, but ensure the context is clear. More descriptive phrases might often be preferable.