once so close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "once so close" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a past relationship or situation where two entities were very near to each other, either physically or emotionally, but are no longer in that state. Example: "We were once so close, sharing secrets and dreams, but now we barely speak."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

They are political allies once so close they practised judo together.

Independent

Heywood and Gu were once so close that she was godmother to one of his children.

The Guardian

Once so close that they could finish each other's sentences, they had not seen each other in person since 1997.

The New York Times

As they drove, they reminisced about their lives during their many years apart and discovered that their friendship, once so close, had not faded with time.

The New York Times

In court, there was little meaningful body language between the two men, once so close that Mr. Weeks was considered almost an adopted son.

The New York Times

The remarkable bit is that they are coming now from someone who was once so close to the Neocons and the Bush administration.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Hardin and Rowan had once been so close that Hardin named one of his sons "Rowan" in his colleague's honor.

Wikipedia

Hopes were waning, fears were slowly solidifying into concrete blocks of reality and heads dropped in tune with spirits as the Bees faithful reckoned that we would once again fall short – once again come so close, but not far enough, as we had done so many times before, including this year against Chelsea.

The Guardian - Sport

"Once you get so close, you're not happy with second," he said in Bahrain.

The New York Times - Sports

Before the concert, once I came so close to making that mistake.

The New York Times

I thought it was enough that Federer had once again come so close.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "once so close", ensure the context clearly indicates a change in the relationship or situation being described. It is most effective when contrasting the past closeness with the present distance.

Common error

Avoid using "once so close" when there has been no change in the relationship or situation. It implies a past closeness that is no longer present; using it incorrectly can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once so close" functions primarily as an adjectival modifier, describing a noun or pronoun by indicating a past state of nearness or intimacy. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. Examples from Ludwig show it describing relationships, political alliances, and even geographical proximities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "once so close" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a past state of intimacy or proximity that no longer exists. As Ludwig AI indicates, it’s correct and usable. The phrase is commonly found in News & Media contexts, where it serves to highlight changes in relationships, alliances, or situations. When employing this phrase, it's important to ensure the context clearly illustrates the contrast between the past closeness and the present state. Alternatives like "formerly intimate" or "previously close-knit" can be used to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formerly intimate

Replaces "once so close" with synonyms focusing on the past close relationship.

previously close-knit

Substitutes "once so close" with an emphasis on the tightly bonded nature of the past relationship.

used to be inseparable

Replaces "once so close" with an idiom indicating a past state of constant togetherness.

were once very near

Replaces "once so close" with near synonyms, focusing on emotional or physical proximity.

had a tight bond

Substitutes "once so close" by highlighting a bond that was once strong.

shared a close relationship in the past

Replaces "once so close" with a more formal phrase emphasizing the past nature of the relationship.

at one time very familiar

Substitutes "once so close" with an expression indicating past familiarity and intimacy.

were as thick as thieves

Replaces "once so close" with an idiom indicating extreme closeness and camaraderie.

had been very friendly

Replaces "once so close" with a common expression denoting past friendliness.

in close accord at one time

Substitutes "once so close" by mentioning a past harmony and alignment.

FAQs

How can I use "once so close" in a sentence?

Use "once so close" to describe a past relationship or situation where there was a high degree of intimacy or proximity, which has since diminished. For example, "They were "once so close", sharing every secret, but now they barely speak".

What's a good alternative to "once so close"?

Consider alternatives such as "formerly intimate", "previously close-knit", or "used to be inseparable" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "once so close"?

Yes, "once so close" is grammatically correct. It functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, describing a past state of closeness or intimacy.

What does "once so close" imply about the current relationship?

"Once so close" implies that the relationship or situation is no longer as intimate or proximate as it was in the past. It suggests a change or separation has occurred.