maybe close to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maybe close to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express uncertainty about a proximity or similarity to something. Example: "The temperature today is maybe close to what we experienced last summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

I thought maybe 3, maybe close to 10 million.

The New York Times - Magazine

WASHINGTON — So, now that it might finally be over (or maybe close to it, possibly, perhaps), does Senator Barack Obama come out a bloody mess, or a battle-tested warrior?

The New York Times

"I said that then, I'm saying it now: Belichick, I recognize that fact now, is a Hall of Fame coach and he will go down in history as maybe the greatest football coach in the history of this game or maybe close to it.

The New York Times - Sports

Not too far from a good school and maybe close to the park?

TechCrunch

It should be noted that we consider the oval mounds as equilibrium structures (or maybe close to equilibrium, since this does not matter for our conclusions) despite that the annealing time seems too short.

Nanoscale Research Letters

"We're hoping I can do something maybe close to something like that.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The doors maybe closed to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's Iran but open to an Iran under a reformist like former president Mohamed Khatami--a skewed standard.

Huffington Post

Maybe closer to 80 percent".

The New York Times

"At about ten o'clock, maybe closer to ten-thirty, I saw the helicopter," Nasreen told me.

The New Yorker

Dr. Willke says he plans to claim an attendance of 500,000, or maybe closer to 700,000.

The New York Times - Arts

The men's ward contained fewer than a hundred beds, maybe closer to seventy-five.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "maybe close to" to express an estimation or approximation when you want to indicate uncertainty. For example, "The project is maybe close to being finished, but we still need to review the details."

Common error

Avoid using "maybe close to" when you are certain about a value or measurement. Using it in such contexts can undermine your credibility. Instead, use more definitive language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maybe close to" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to express approximation or uncertainty. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The examples show its use in various contexts to indicate a degree of nearness or similarity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "maybe close to" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express approximation and uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While it appears most frequently in news and media sources, it is also found in scientific contexts. Consider the level of formality required by the context. Ludwig's examples offer guidance on using the phrase effectively, and related alternatives are available when a different nuance is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately

Expresses a degree of nearness but lacks the explicit acknowledgment of uncertainty present in the original phrase.

around

Implies approximation around a certain value, without explicitly acknowledging the possibility of being slightly off.

nearly

Indicates closeness to a specific state or action but does not explicitly include a degree of possibility.

almost

Suggests being on the verge of a state or action but without the element of uncertainty conveyed by "maybe".

in the vicinity of

Refers to the area near a particular place, thing or person.

in the neighborhood of

Emphasizes proximity to a numerical value, without explicitly acknowledging the possibility of being slightly off.

something like

Conveys a similarity but may not necessarily indicate a small difference or nearness.

approaching

Indicates movement toward a state or value, but lacks the explicit possibility of not reaching it.

just about

Focuses on achieving a condition or state, minimizing the uncertainty aspect.

virtually

Suggests a high degree of similarity or nearness, minimizing any potential discrepancy.

FAQs

How can I use "maybe close to" in a sentence?

You can use "maybe close to" to express an approximation or an uncertain estimation. For example, "The final cost will be "maybe close to" $1000."

What are some alternatives to "maybe close to"?

Some alternatives include "approximately", "nearly", or "around", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "maybe close to" or "almost"?

The choice depends on the context. "Almost" indicates a higher degree of certainty than "maybe close to". Use "almost" when something is very near, and "maybe close to" when there's more uncertainty about how near it is.

Can "maybe close to" be used in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "maybe close to" might be too informal for some formal writing. Consider using a more precise term like "approximately" or "in the vicinity of" for professional contexts.