in close associate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in close associate" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "in close association"? You can use "in close association" to describe a strong connection or relationship between people or entities. Example: "The two organizations have been working in close association to achieve their common goals."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some receive help from family members or friends, or at the very least confide in close associates.

The Guardian

Concern is growing that as more and more goods flow in, close associates of Mr. Hussein will gain from cornering distribution rights, if not through outright black-marketeering.

The New York Times

He added: "The Nixon who was despised by millions of strangers, and who aroused powerful ambivalence in close associates because of his nasty mood swings between grandiosity and pettiness, was not the Nixon I knew.

The New York Times

All three insist that they have no involvement in their close associate's campaign.

The New York Times

Although the names of the artists did not survive, the highest-ranking of them the daizhao, or painters-in-attendance were close associates of the empainters-in-attendance were

Britannica

Mr. Serdyukov had also reportedly fallen out with his father-in-law, the close associate of Mr. Putin, Mr. Pukhov and other analysts said.

The New York Times

The Russian news media have suggested that there might have been a clash of a personal nature between Mr. Serdyukov and his father-in-law, a close associate of Mr. Putin, or a conflict with military generals.

The New York Times

In 1987, a close associate, a builder in Milan named Salvatore Ligresti, was involved in the first of many investigations.

The New York Times

Mr. Ould Slahi's brother-in-law is a close associate of Mr. bin Laden, who has been charged in an indictment as the leader of Al Qaeda, the Islamic terror group responsible for the embassy bombing attacks in 1998.

The New York Times

In 2005, his close associate Cardinal Schoenborn wrote an article saying "evolution in the sense of common ancestry might be true, but evolution in the neo-Darwinian sense – an unguided, unplanned process – is not".

Independent

The conversations, prosecutors assert, flowed from meetings Mr. Gotti had in 1985 and 1986 with close associates about running the Gambino Mafia family in New York City and reaping millions of dollars in illicit profits.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "in close associate". Instead, use the more grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase "close associate of" to describe someone who is closely connected to another person or organization.

Common error

A common mistake is adding unnecessary prepositions like "in" before phrases such as "close associate". Always ensure the phrase is grammatically sound by omitting the extra preposition and saying "close associate of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in close associate" is grammatically incorrect and doesn't serve a standard grammatical function in English. It is intended to describe someone closely connected to another person, but the incorrect preposition usage renders it invalid. Ludwig AI confirms this error.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in close associate" is flagged as grammatically incorrect by Ludwig AI. The correct and commonly accepted form is "close associate of". This phrase is intended to describe a person who is closely connected or affiliated with another individual or entity. Due to the incorrect preposition "in", the original phrase is unsuitable for any context, be it formal or informal. To effectively communicate the intended meaning, always use ""close associate of"" or consider alternative phrases like "intimate partner" or "close colleague", depending on the specific relationship you wish to convey. Proper grammar ensures clarity and credibility in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close associate of

Omits the preposition "in", creating a more grammatically sound and common phrase.

close colleague

Highlights a professional relationship where individuals work closely together.

near confidant

Emphasizes the trust and sharing of secrets within the relationship.

intimate friend

Highlights a strong personal bond with emphasis on emotional closeness and shared experiences.

intimate partner

Focuses on a personal and deeply connected relationship, often implying a romantic bond.

trusted advisor

Indicates a relationship built on providing guidance and counsel.

key ally

Stresses the supportive and strategic aspect of the connection, particularly in achieving common goals.

right-hand man/woman

Indicates a person who is indispensable and heavily relied upon.

bosom buddy

An informal way to describe someone very close, like a best friend.

chief lieutenant

Suggests a hierarchical structure where one person is a primary subordinate and trusted supporter.

FAQs

How do I correctly use the term "close associate" in a sentence?

Use "close associate of" to properly connect the person to whom they are associated. For example, "He is a "close associate of" the CEO" is correct.

Is "in close associate" grammatically correct?

No, "in close associate" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is ""close associate of"".

What phrases can I use instead of "in close associate"?

Instead of "in close associate", you can use phrases such as ""close associate of"", "intimate partner", or "close colleague", depending on the context.

What is the difference between "in close associate" and "close associate of"?

"In close associate" is grammatically incorrect. "Close associate of" is the correct and commonly used phrase to describe someone closely connected to another person.