not close enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not close enough" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something does not meet a required proximity or standard. Example: "The measurements were not close enough to ensure a proper fit for the new part."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Close, but not close enough.

Independent

"Not close enough.

The New York Times

Not close enough, though.

The Guardian

But not close enough.

The New York Times

"He was not close enough to God.

The New York Times

Evidently, this was not close enough.

The New York Times

He added, "Close, but not close enough".

The New York Times - Sports

He's not close enough yet.

The Guardian - Sport

We're always close, but not close enough.

The New York Times - Sports

We are close but not close enough.

The New York Times - Sports

No, it's not "close enough," Crazy Jake!

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not close enough" to express that something almost meets a requirement but ultimately fails. For example, "His answer was "not close enough" to be considered correct."

Common error

Avoid using "not close enough" when something is completely unrelated or distant from the target. For example, instead of saying "The sun is "not close enough" to the Earth", use "The sun is not close to the Earth".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not close enough" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a deficiency in achieving a certain proximity, standard, or goal. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not close enough" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something falls short of a desired standard or proximity. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility and correctness across various domains, including news, science, and sports. While alternatives like "insufficiently near" or "not quite there" exist, "not close enough" maintains a clear and direct meaning, making it a useful phrase in many situations. Remember to avoid using it when there is a wide disparity between the intended target and the actual result.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insufficiently near

Indicates a lack of adequate physical proximity.

not quite there

Suggests a failure to reach a desired state or standard.

falling short

Emphasizes a failure to meet expectations or requirements.

not up to par

Highlights a deficiency in quality or performance.

nowhere near

Indicates a significant lack of proximity or attainment.

not good enough

Focuses on the inadequacy of something to fulfill a purpose.

not sufficient

Implies that something is lacking in the necessary quantity or quality.

a miss by a mile

Indicates a substantial deviation from the desired target or outcome.

a long shot from

Suggests a distant possibility or a considerable gap to overcome.

far from it

Emphasizes a significant divergence from a stated or implied condition.

FAQs

How can I use "not close enough" in a sentence?

You can use "not close enough" to indicate that something is near a certain point, quality, or achievement, but does not quite reach it. For example, "The approximation was close, but "not close enough" for practical use."

What are some alternatives to saying "not close enough"?

Alternatives include "insufficiently near", "not quite there", or "falling short", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "not close enough"?

It is appropriate when something is near a certain standard or measurement but fails to meet it, implying a degree of nearness. It's less appropriate when there's a wide disparity.

Is "not close enough" grammatically correct?

Yes, "not close enough" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe something that almost meets a certain criterion but ultimately does not.