on closer analysis

USAGE SUMMARY

"on closer analysis" is a perfectly acceptable and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used when introducing a statement that goes into detail about a particular topic after initially looking at it more broadly. For example: "On closer analysis of the company's most recent quarterly report, it became clear that their profits had declined significantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

On closer analysis, however, one might note that media has become quite savvy at unpicking budget statements and looking for consequences lurking in the small print, as a matter of course.

The Guardian - Opinion

On closer analysis, the Merzbarn contains strange objects secreted within its undulating mass.

The Economist

The two problems first appear in an unusual guise: music that sounds tender but on closer analysis seems to be nothing of the sort.

The Guardian - Music

But on closer analysis, the new dog owners had been laggards before getting a dog, walking about 24 percent less than other people without dogs.

The New York Times

On closer analysis we find that the diffusion constants of acetic acid near the calcite surface are significantly lower than those near the α-quartz surface.

Geochemical Transactions

On closer analysis, GM sorghum is faced with the same limitations as 'Golden Rice' (GM rice) in the context of combating vitamin A deficiency (VAD) efficiently and sustainably.

Trends in Biotechnology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The hippies read the textbooks; the Very Serious People apparently rely on close analysis of entrails, or something.

The New York Times

For example, the inclination by post- Daubert federal courts to favor epidemiologic over other forms of evidence, on the ground that epidemiology is scientifically preferred, turns out on close analysis of the Bendectin cases to be just such a judicial construct (Edmond and Mercer 2000).

Environmental Health Perspectives

Still, on close analysis, differences emerge in the way Mr. Lazio and Mrs. Clinton view America's role in the world.

The New York Times

Many sections of the report are based on close analysis of the situation in more than 100 districts where NATO is concentrating its efforts.

The New York Times

However, while Blast fails to reveal either of these clusters as duplicate clusters, this contradicts the conventional wisdom, based on close analysis of gene structure, function and conserved functional parts, that they are both duplicate arrays [ 51, 52].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on closer analysis" to introduce a more detailed perspective after providing an initial overview. This signals a shift in focus to a more in-depth examination of the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "on closer analysis" repeatedly within a short piece of writing. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement and prevent redundancy. Consider using synonyms like "upon closer inspection" or "after further examination".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on closer analysis" functions as a prepositional phrase, acting as an adverbial modifier. It typically introduces a more detailed or nuanced perspective on a previously discussed topic. Ludwig provides examples illustrating its usage in both scientific and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on closer analysis" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that signals a shift towards a more detailed examination of a subject. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, media, and scientific contexts. To enhance writing, it's best to use this phrase when genuinely providing deeper insights and to avoid overuse by varying language with alternatives like "upon closer inspection" or "after further examination".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon closer inspection

Replaces "analysis" with "inspection", emphasizing a more visual and detailed examination.

after further examination

Substitutes "on" with "after" and "closer analysis" with "further examination", highlighting the temporal aspect of the analysis.

with more detailed scrutiny

Uses "scrutiny" instead of "analysis", suggesting a more critical and thorough investigation.

in light of deeper investigation

Emphasizes the investigative aspect, using "deeper investigation" instead of "closer analysis".

taking a more granular view

Focuses on the level of detail, replacing "closer analysis" with "more granular view".

on deeper consideration

Replaces "analysis" with "consideration", shifting the emphasis to thoughtful deliberation.

examining in greater detail

Phrases the concept as an active examination, stressing the level of detail involved.

a more thorough assessment reveals

Highlights that the assessment is thorough, suggesting a comprehensive review.

a careful review indicates

Emphasizes the careful nature of the review and its indicative findings.

when investigated more thoroughly

Presents the analysis as a condition, specifying that it's performed more thoroughly.

FAQs

How can I use "on closer analysis" in a sentence?

"On closer analysis", the data revealed a significant correlation between exercise and reduced stress levels. You can use this phrase to introduce a more detailed look at a subject after a general observation.

What's a good alternative to "on closer analysis"?

Alternatives include "upon closer inspection", "after further examination", or "with more detailed scrutiny". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "on closer analysis"?

While grammatically correct, avoid using "on closer analysis" if the subsequent analysis is superficial or lacks depth. Ensure your analysis provides genuinely deeper insights.

What is the difference between "on closer analysis" and "in conclusion"?

"On closer analysis" introduces a more detailed examination, while "in conclusion" summarizes findings. They serve different purposes in writing. "On closer analysis" often precedes a revelation, whereas "in conclusion" is used at the end of a discussion.