it was so close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it was so close' is an acceptable and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation in which something that was attempted almost, but not completely, succeeded - for example, "The runner finished second in the race, but it was so close that the stadium echoed with cheers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

That said, there was something different about this case, not just because of its brutality, but because it was so close to home.

Independent

"This plane was very loud because it was so close, and its engines would stop and start," she said.

The New York Times

"We didn't know it was so close".

The New York Times

It was so close it was easy to happen".

Independent

"It was so close you could smell it.

The Guardian - Sport

Because it was so close, the wind could be unreliable.

The Guardian - Sport

It was so close to perfect I hardly dared breathe.

The Guardian - Travel

I was quietly confident, I knew it was so close..

The Guardian

"It was so close in the beginning, at least until they announced Iowa".

The New York Times

"What I did was gutsy, because it was so close to 9/11.

The New Yorker

The competition was on a knife edge, it was so close.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was so close" to emphasize a narrow margin in situations where the outcome could easily have been different. For example, in sports commentary or when recounting a near-miss experience.

Common error

Avoid using "it was so close" when a situation was merely similar, but not actually near completion or success. Ensure the context reflects a genuine near miss for the phrase to be effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was so close" primarily functions as a descriptive statement, expressing the narrow margin by which something was achieved, avoided, or nearly occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was so close" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe near misses or narrow margins. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently found in news and media, conveying a sense of proximity to a particular outcome. While versatile, it's best used when a situation genuinely reflects a near miss, and several alternatives like "it almost happened" or "it was a close call", can be used for variety. To maximize impact, ensure the context justifies the emphasis on the narrow margin.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was a close call

Implies a situation where the outcome could have easily been different.

it was a near thing

Highlights the narrow margin of success or avoidance.

it was nearly there

Emphasizes the proximity to a desired outcome.

it was within a hair's breadth

Highlights the extremely small margin.

it almost happened

Focuses on the near occurrence of an event.

it was within an inch of

Emphasizes the proximity to a desired outcome.

it was a whisker away

Suggests something was only slightly off from the goal

it was just about to happen

Emphasizes the imminence of an event.

it was touch and go

Suggests a precarious situation with an uncertain outcome.

it was on the verge

Indicates being at the point of occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "it was so close" in a sentence?

You can use "it was so close" to describe a situation where something almost happened or was nearly achieved. For instance, "The team almost won the championship; it was so close!"

What are some alternatives to saying "it was so close"?

Alternatives include "it almost happened", "it was nearly there", or "it was a close call" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it was so close"?

Yes, "it was so close" is grammatically correct. It uses the past tense of the verb "to be" with an adverb of degree ("so") modifying the adjective "close".

What does "it was so close" imply?

Saying "it was so close" implies that something was nearly achieved or experienced. It highlights the small margin between success and failure or between happening and not happening.