significantly closer

USAGE SUMMARY

"significantly closer" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when something has come closer than it was before. For example, "After months of negotiations, the parties have come significantly closer to reaching a final agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Ms. Lyons's announcement brought Mr. Rowland significantly closer to impeachment.

The New York Times

They circle around and broadcast internet down but significantly closer than a satellite".

The Guardian - Tech

Cars crash, people cuss, and the global warming apocalypse inches significantly closer.

The New York Times

The president is significantly closer to his relatives on his mother's side of the family.

The New York Times

The Braves aren't in first place, of course, but they're significantly closer to it than the Mets.

The New York Times - Sports

Washington moved significantly closer to other governments in the hemisphere on the emotional issue of how to deal with Cuba.

The New York Times

The Brussels deal brings Ukraine significantly closer to European markets and the EU – though with no prospect of eventual membership.

The Guardian

It comes significantly closer to "death panels" than anything in the Affordable Care Act.

The New York Times

Since most of the centre-left is already united in a rival Democratic Party (PD), the latest merger brings Italy significantly closer to a two-party system.

The Guardian

Though designed as a game, it's significantly closer to letting you be a bear than Goat Simulator is to legitimate goatiness.

The Guardian - Tech

In Cesano, however, with "the non self-sufficient elderly", the audience's average age might be significantly closer to his own than that of his party guests at Arcore.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "significantly closer" to convey a substantial reduction in physical or metaphorical distance. This emphasizes not just movement, but a meaningful change in proximity.

Common error

Avoid using "significantly closer" when the difference is minimal. Reserve it for situations where the change in proximity is substantial and noteworthy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significantly closer" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically modifying a verb or adjective to indicate the degree to which something has approached or neared. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a valid and common construction in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "significantly closer" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves to emphasize a notable decrease in distance, whether physical or metaphorical. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is appropriate for a variety of contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. While alternatives such as "considerably nearer" or "substantially closer" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When writing, be mindful to reserve this phrase for scenarios where the change in proximity is truly substantial. Its frequent use in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its validity and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably nearer

Emphasizes proximity with considerable impact, shifting the focus from the degree of change to the resulting closeness.

substantially closer

Highlights the substantial amount of reduction in distance or difference.

markedly nearer

Focuses on how easily noticeable the increased proximity is.

noticeably closer

Highlights the easiness with which the increased proximity is noticed.

appreciably nearer

Highlights the easier with which the increased proximity is appreciated.

distinctly closer

Emphasizes the clarity and recognizability of the increased proximity.

measurably closer

Emphasizes that the decreased distance can be quantified.

palpably closer

Highlights that the increased proximity can be appreciated via senses.

visibly closer

Emphasizes that the increased proximity can be appreciated via eyesight.

appreciably closer

Emphasizes that the change in distance is significant enough to be appreciated or valued.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "significantly closer" in a sentence?

Use "significantly closer" to indicate a notable reduction in distance, either physically or figuratively. For instance, "The deadline is "significantly closer" than we anticipated" or "The two companies are now "significantly closer" to reaching an agreement".

What are some alternatives to saying "significantly closer"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "considerably nearer", "substantially closer", or "markedly nearer" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it redundant to use "very significantly closer"?

Yes, using "very significantly closer" can be redundant. The word "significantly" already implies a notable degree, so adding "very" doesn't necessarily strengthen the meaning and can sound awkward.

When is it appropriate to use "significantly closer" in formal writing?

It's suitable in formal writing when you need to emphasize a substantial decrease in distance or difference. It can be applied in reports, analyses, or any context where precise and impactful language is required.