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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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longer closer

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "longer closer" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe something that is both longer in duration and closer in proximity, but as it stands, it lacks clarity and context. Example: "The new route is not only longer closer to the city but also more scenic."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It's usually worth taking a longer, closer look.

News & Media

The New York Times

The swing direction of the long pendulum remains constant as Earth rotates underneath it, which means its path appears to move, traveling a full circle every 24 hours at the poles and taking longer closer to the equator (32 hours in Paris, for example).

Science & Research

Science Magazine

Lines get longer closer to Shabbat, so time your visit carefully.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Over the year they had developed into longer, closer embraces that sometimes finished with a slippery kiss on my cheek, or even neck, since Dr. Field was shorter than me.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Backyard farmers like the ones in Malaysia might be exposed to fewer animals, but they tend to have longer, closer contact with the animals that they do have.

Cook the oil for longer (closer to 30 minutes) for a stronger garlic taste.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Storefronts are no longer closed up.

News & Media

The New York Times

The building is no longer closed; tenants began moving back into the building last week.

News & Media

The New York Times

These (and other) milestones are no longer closed to the public.

News & Media

The Economist

The second in Somerset, lasted a little longer, closing in 1999.

News & Media

The Guardian

He and Fischer are no longer close; he says that he finds Fischer's "political discourse unduly harsh".

News & Media

The New Yorker
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To improve clarity, replace the phrase "longer closer" with more descriptive alternatives such as "more extended nearby" or "greater proximity" depending on the context.

Common error

Do not use "longer closer" without clarifying the relationship between length and proximity. Provide context to ensure the reader understands what is getting longer and what is getting closer.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "longer closer" acts as a comparative description, aiming to modify a noun by indicating increases in both duration and proximity. However, as Ludwig AI points out, its grammatical correctness is questionable. It often requires additional context for clear understanding.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "longer closer" is used to describe something increasing in both duration and proximity, but its grammatical status is considered incorrect. Ludwig AI underlines that, while understandable in certain contexts, it lacks the precision needed for formal writing. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Science sources. To improve clarity, consider using alternatives like "more extended nearby" or "greater proximity". While the phrase is found, as shown by Ludwig, in a variety of sources, it should be used with caution due to its ambiguous nature.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "longer closer" to improve clarity?

Consider alternatives such as "more extended nearby" or "greater proximity", depending on the specific context you want to convey. You could also say something is "longer in duration and closer in proximity".

Is "longer closer" grammatically correct?

While understandable in some contexts, "longer closer" is not considered standard English. It's better to use clearer phrases like "more extended nearby" or "greater proximity".

When is it acceptable to use the phrase "longer closer"?

It might be acceptable in informal contexts or when the meaning is very clear from the surrounding text. However, in formal writing, it is advisable to use more precise language.

What does "longer closer" usually imply?

Typically, it suggests that something is increasing in duration and/or that it is physically nearer. It is better to elaborate on the specific relationship you are describing with an example.

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Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: