our close ones

USAGE SUMMARY

"our close ones" is a correct and usable term in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone's family members, friends, or any other close people. For example, "We all want to stay safe and protect our close ones during this pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We were too young to actually live those times but we feel the need to pass on the stories that affected our close ones".However, passing on these stories is proving difficult due to funding problems.

The Economist

Clinton says basically, we don't agree 100% of the time with our allies, even our close ones.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Talk to your close ones about it.

WikiHow

On Christmas Day, we would get together with the people who we consider our family, friends and close ones to dine on good food and drink.

Huffington Post

"We've had our share of close ones and hopefully the way we dealt with those pressure situations will help," Matsuhara said.

Los Angeles Times

"We expect a lot of our league matches to be close ones," Davidson said.

Los Angeles Times

She said that as a global society we have lost the knowledge of how to grieve even for our closest loved ones, quoting teacher and author Stephen Jenkinson who writes that our society is "death phobic and grief illiterate".

The Guardian

In our personal lives, when confronted by an imminent threat, most of us would likely consult with our closest loved ones and prioritize what we most want to protect.

Forbes

Our wedding was the perfect day--gorgeous weather, good food and our closest loved ones.

Huffington Post

Let's say we analyze 100 segments, finding one showing orangutans to be our closest relatives, one showing weasels and 98 showing chimpanzees.

The Washington Post

Call the close ones in.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "our close ones" to refer to a group of people who are emotionally important to you, including family, friends, or mentors. The phrase is suitable for situations when you want to emphasize the personal connection.

Common error

Avoid using "our close ones" when a more specific term like "family", "friends", or "mentors" would provide greater clarity. Vague language can dilute the emotional impact of your message. Choose the words that best reflect the specific relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "our close ones" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or the subject of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "our close ones" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase referring to individuals who hold a special place in our lives, such as family and friends. While Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct, the phrase appears with uncommon frequency across various sources, including news outlets, wikis, and academic articles. When writing, consider whether a more specific term like "family" or "friends" might provide greater clarity. Alternative expressions include "our loved ones" and "our nearest and dearest", depending on the nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

our loved ones

This alternative focuses specifically on love and affection, emphasizing the emotional bond.

our nearest and dearest

This is a more formal and emphatic way to refer to those who are most important in our lives.

our family and friends

This explicitly includes both family members and friends.

the people closest to us

This alternative uses a descriptive phrase instead of a noun phrase.

our immediate family

This alternative narrows the scope to family members only, excluding close friends.

those we hold dear

This alternative emphasizes the value and affection we have for these people.

our intimate circle

This option highlights the close and personal nature of the relationships.

our inner circle

Similar to "intimate circle", this phrase refers to a small group of trusted individuals.

our confidants

This phrase specifically refers to people we trust and share secrets with.

our support system

This focuses on the role these people play in providing emotional and practical support.

FAQs

What is the difference between "our close ones" and "our loved ones"?

While both phrases refer to people who are important to us, "our close ones" emphasizes the proximity and connection we have with them, while "our loved ones" focuses specifically on the affection and care we feel for them. The terms can often be used interchangeably, but the subtle difference in nuance may make one more appropriate than the other depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "our close ones"?

It is appropriate to use the phrase "our close ones" when you want to refer collectively to the people who are most important in your life, encompassing family, friends, and others with whom you share a strong bond. It works well when discussing protection, support, or shared experiences.

What are some alternative phrases to "our close ones"?

Some alternatives to "our close ones" include "our loved ones", "our nearest and dearest", "our family and friends", and "the people closest to us". The best alternative depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "our close ones" a formal or informal expression?

The phrase "our close ones" is generally considered to be a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "our nearest and dearest" may be preferable in highly formal settings.