might be close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "might be close" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting that something is likely to be near or similar to something else, but not certain. Example: "The estimate for the project completion date might be close to what we expected, but we should remain flexible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In 2013 they might be close to self-policing".

The Guardian - Opinion

His breath at first was almost imperceptible and Gerald feared he might be close to death.

The New Yorker

"This interpretation of string theory might be close to the truth," Dr. Witten said.

The New York Times - Science

Two polling stations visited for the count in Kabul showed that the contest might be close.

The New York Times

She had habitually refused to give her age, but friends said 84 might be close.

The New York Times

But where Obama's re-election efforts are concerned, it might be close enough for government work.

The New York Times

I'll have to see if something can be done and we might be close to that.

The Guardian - Sport

"Some tech stocks have suffered enough," he said, and might be close to their lows now.

The New York Times

There was even speculation that he might be close to resigning.

The New York Times

Iran might be close to a deal to have uranium enriched abroad, the country's foreign minister said Friday.

The New York Times

The article quoted unnamed sources saying that buyout firms might be close to offering $1.7 billion for Saks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "might be close" to indicate a degree of uncertainty when estimating a value, time, or distance. For example, "The project deadline might be close, but we need to confirm all milestones."

Common error

Avoid using "might be close" when you have definite information. Replace it with more assertive language like "is" or "will be" when you are certain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "might be close" functions as a modal verb phrase used to express a possibility or an estimation regarding proximity, similarity, or the imminence of an event. As Ludwig AI indicates, it suggests a degree of uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "might be close" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express a possibility or approximation. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts. It is frequently employed in news, scientific, and business settings to convey uncertainty or estimation. Alternatives such as "could be near" or "may be approaching" can be used to achieve similar effects. When using "might be close", it's crucial to avoid overstating certainty and to employ more assertive language when definitive information is available.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be near

Replaces "might" with "could", suggesting a similar degree of possibility regarding proximity.

may be close

Substitutes "might" with "may", another modal verb indicating possibility.

could be approaching

Replaces "close" with "approaching", focusing on the action of getting nearer.

may be nearing

Similar to "could be approaching", but uses "may" for possibility.

might be imminent

Changes "close" to "imminent", suggesting something is about to happen.

could be in the vicinity

Replaces "close" with a more formal "in the vicinity", indicating nearness in location.

may be within reach

Changes "close" to "within reach", suggesting that something is attainable or achievable.

might be just around the corner

Replaces "close" with a more idiomatic expression, indicating that something is very near or soon to happen.

could be drawing near

Uses "drawing near" instead of "close", conveying a sense of approach.

may be on the horizon

Substitutes "close" with "on the horizon", suggesting something is likely to happen in the future.

FAQs

What does "might be close" mean?

The phrase "might be close" suggests that something is possibly near, similar, or about to happen. It implies a degree of uncertainty or estimation.

How can I use "might be close" in a sentence?

You can use "might be close" to express an estimation or a possibility. For example: "The final cost "might be close" to the initial budget", or "The solution "might be close" than we think".

What are some alternatives to "might be close"?

Alternatives include phrases like "could be near", "may be close", or "could be approaching", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "might be close" or "is close"?

Use "might be close" when you want to express uncertainty or possibility. Use "is close" when you are confident about the proximity or similarity.