really so close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "really so close" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the proximity or similarity of something, often in a figurative sense. Example: "After months of hard work, we are really so close to achieving our goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Was Reiser really so close to his therapist?

The Guardian - Film

The most encouraging theory is that the Iranians are not really so close to nuclear testing capacity and, further, that their strategy is in fact to remain in roughly this position.

The New York Times

"The match was extremely even and it was really so close," said Berdych.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"It was really so, so close.

The Guardian - Sport

Are refreshing breezes wafting through the political climate?Not really: sitting so close to the equator, Singapore does not have anything as dramatic as the season temperate countries call "spring".

The Economist

We really are so close!

Huffington Post

Whispers came through of secret sessions at Rockdale Suns ground, but what were they really up to so close to a must-win Asian Cup game?

The Guardian - Sport

For two years I was really unlucky coming so close to winning but maybe it's just made it all that more special now.

BBC

Does it really take an experience so close to home for an elected official to appreciate the injustice of discrimination?

Independent

"I live in a Third World community that has yet to really benefit from being so close to a national icon," said Mr Forrester, chairman of the Mutitjulu Community Aboriginal Corporation.

Independent

At its simplest, cinema delights in doing just that: making objects appear closer than they really are, bringing them so close, in fact, that they seem to be bearing right down on us, like that Lumière brothers train.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really so close" to express a situation where something is very near to being achieved or experienced, adding emphasis beyond a simple 'close'.

Common error

Avoid using "really so close" repetitively in a short span of text, as the emphasis can become diluted and sound redundant. Opt for stronger, more varied vocabulary to describe the proximity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really so close" functions as an intensified adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to express a high degree of proximity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "really so close" is a grammatically sound and usable expression employed to emphasize proximity or nearness, as verified by Ludwig AI. Although relatively infrequent, it is found primarily in news and media contexts. To enhance your writing, use it to intensify the feeling of anticipation or near achievement. Be mindful of overusing "really" to maintain clarity and impact. For more precise descriptions, consider alternatives such as "extremely near" or "incredibly close". The phrase serves to highlight a situation that's just on the verge of being reached.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely near

Emphasizes the high degree of physical or metaphorical nearness.

remarkably near

Highlights the unexpected closeness or proximity.

incredibly close

Stresses the surprising or astonishing nearness.

virtually adjacent

Indicates a state of being almost next to something.

practically touching

Emphasizes the near contact between two things.

almost identical

Shifts the focus to similarity rather than physical proximity.

nearly equivalent

Highlights the near equivalence or interchangeability of two things.

tantalizingly close

Suggests a desired outcome is within reach, yet still elusive.

within a hair's breadth

Emphasizes how narrow the margin is to failing or achieving something

just around the corner

Highlights something that is about to happen or be reached shortly.

FAQs

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

You can use "really so close" to emphasize that something is nearly achieved or about to happen. For example, "After years of research, they were really so close to finding a cure."

What does "really so close" mean?

The phrase "really so close" is used to emphasize that something is very near, either physically or figuratively, often suggesting imminent success or achievement.

What are some alternatives to "really so close"?

Alternatives include "extremely near", "incredibly close", or "virtually adjacent", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "really close" or "really so close"?

"Really so close" adds a slight emphasis compared to just "really close", but both are grammatically correct and acceptable. The choice depends on the desired level of emphasis.