move closer to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "move closer to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the action of physically or metaphorically reducing the distance between oneself and something or someone. Example: "As we walked through the park, I decided to move closer to the fountain to get a better view."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I move closer to him.

The Guardian - Travel

We move closer to Foster.

The Guardian - Film

Let's move closer to home.

The Guardian - Opinion

• I could move closer to my job.

The New York Times

Please, Mr. Bloomberg, move closer to us.

The New York Times

Obama's NLRB nominees move closer to confirmation.

The Washington Post

Brain chips move closer to the clinic.

MIT Technology Review

The theatre staff move closer to watch what happens next.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Will Ed move closer to his brother's position?

The Guardian

Then Washington helped them move closer to first place.

The New York Times

China and the United States began to move closer to one another.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, specify the subject and object of the movement, for instance, "the company is moving closer to its sustainability goals."

Common error

While "move closer to" is generally acceptable, it can sound informal or repetitive in academic or professional contexts. Consider replacing it with a more sophisticated alternative like "approach", "converge towards", or "approximate" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "move closer to" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It is used to indicate a change in distance or relationship, either physically or metaphorically. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is indeed correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Wiki

23%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "move closer to" is a versatile and frequently used verb phrase that accurately describes the act of approaching something physically or metaphorically. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability. While its neutral register makes it appropriate for a wide variety of contexts, more formal synonyms like "approach" or "converge towards" might be preferable in academic or professional writing. With examples spanning news media, scientific publications, and wikis, "move closer to" demonstrates its broad applicability in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

move nearer to

Very similar to "move closer to", but uses 'nearer'.

get closer to

A more casual and versatile alternative.

come closer to

Focuses on the act of arriving closer to a destination or goal.

approach

A more formal and direct synonym, often used in written contexts.

draw nearer to

Emphasizes a gradual and deliberate movement closer.

advance toward

Suggests a forward movement, often towards a specific point or objective.

edge closer to

Implies a cautious or tentative movement.

creep closer to

Suggests a slow, stealthy approach.

drift closer to

Implies a passive or unintentional movement.

gravitate toward

Suggests being drawn towards something, often by an unseen force.

FAQs

What does "move closer to" mean?

The phrase "move closer to" means to reduce the distance between oneself and something else, either physically or metaphorically, indicating progress, approach, or growing proximity.

What can I say instead of "move closer to"?

You can use alternatives like "approach", "draw nearer to", or "get closer to" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "move closer to"?

Yes, the phrase "move closer to" is grammatically correct and widely used in both spoken and written English.

How can I use "move closer to" in a sentence?

You can use "move closer to" to describe physical movement, such as "I "move closer to" the window to see better", or metaphorical progress, such as "The project is "moving closer to" completion".