not even close

USAGE SUMMARY

"not even close" is a grammatically correct phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to emphasize the degree to which something is not the case. For example: "I thought I had the right answer, but it turns out I wasn't even close."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

No, not even close.

The New York Times

And not even close.

The New York Times

Nah, not even close.

The New York Times

"We're not even close.

The New York Times - Sports

"He's not even close.

The New York Times - Sports

They're not even close.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

It isn't even close.

The New York Times - Sports

That wasn't even close.

The New York Times

They aren't even close.

The New York Times

They weren't even close.

The New York Times

"He wasn't even close.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not even close" to express a strong disagreement or to emphasize the large difference between an expected result and the actual outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "not even close" in situations where a milder disagreement or a slight difference is intended. It is a strong phrase that suggests a significant disparity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not even close" functions as an intensifier used to emphasize that something is far from being correct, accurate, or true. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Sports

7%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not even close" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression for emphasizing a significant difference or disagreement. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and everyday conversation. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to consider the strength of the phrase and avoid using it when a milder expression is more appropriate. Its communicative power lies in its ability to convey a clear and emphatic negation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nowhere near

Indicates a large distance or difference, emphasizing the lack of proximity.

not remotely

Stresses the absence of any connection or similarity, indicating a wide gap.

far from it

Emphasizes that the actual situation is the opposite or very different from what was suggested.

not in the slightest

Highlights the complete absence of something, denying even the smallest degree.

not by a long shot

Indicates a very low probability or chance of something happening.

not on your life

Expresses strong disagreement or denial, indicating no chance of something occurring.

not a chance

Indicates zero probability or possibility of something happening.

not by any means

Denies something emphatically, indicating it is not true under any circumstances.

not at all

Indicates a complete negation or absence of something.

not in the least

Emphasizes the absence of something, even in a minimal degree.

FAQs

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

You can use "not even close" to emphasize that something is far from being accurate or true. For example, "I thought I knew the answer, but I was "nowhere near" it; in fact, I wasn't "not even close".

What are some alternatives to "not even close"?

Alternatives to "not even close" include "far from it", "not remotely", or "not in the slightest". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "not even close" a formal or informal expression?

"Not even close" is generally considered an informal expression suitable for casual conversation and less formal writing. In more formal settings, consider using alternatives such as "far from accurate" or "significantly different".

What's the difference between "not even close" and "not quite close"?

"Not even close" implies a large difference or disparity, while "not quite close" suggests that something is near but still falls short of the desired outcome. For example, if you guessed 50 and the answer was 10, you would say you were "not even close". However, if the answer was 48, you would say you were "not quite close".