so closely that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'so closely that' is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize a proximity or a comparison between two things. For example: She had watched him so closely that she knew his every move.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The newly described species Candida dubliniensis phenotypically resembles Candida albicans so closely that is easily misidentified as such.

Journal de Mycologie Médicale

This particular example is one of several that is cropped so closely that the hair flows beyond the edges of the canvas.

Wikipedia

They monitor the Internet so closely that sometimes they feel they have to end the debate".

The New York Times

Park watches Eleanor's mouth so closely that he "could see that her lips had freckles, too".

The New York Times - Books

Their earthy red backgrounds reiterate the room's hues so closely that it seems the artist painted the walls to match.

The Economist

The road skirted the bay so closely that it required a barrier wall of riprap for protection.

The New Yorker

You can see it so closely, that it gives you that ability to connect the two dots together".

The Guardian - Tech

A car followed so closely that when the police driver braked, it went into the back of the police vehicle.

The Guardian

They worked so closely that the finished product was, they both felt, a nice example of extended cognition in itself.

The New Yorker

"And in most cases, the Realtors hugged their databases so closely that their customers couldn't even get a peek inside".

The New York Times

The US and UK forces worked together so closely that they began to wear items of each others' uniforms.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "so closely that" to clearly indicate a direct consequence resulting from a close relationship or proximity between two elements. For example, "They monitored the Internet so closely that they felt they had to end the debate".

Common error

Avoid using "so closely that" in overly complex sentences where the relationship between the clauses becomes unclear. Simplify the sentence structure to maintain clarity. For example, avoid: "The algorithm analyzed the data, which was collected over several years, so closely that even the smallest anomalies were detected, requiring further investigation by the research team."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so closely that" functions as a conjunction phrase that connects two clauses, indicating a cause-and-effect relationship where the intensity or proximity of the first clause directly leads to the outcome described in the second. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

22%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "so closely that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used conjunction phrase that connects two clauses. It emphasizes a cause-and-effect relationship resulting from a high degree of proximity or similarity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is common across diverse contexts, particularly in news and scientific media. It's vital to ensure clarity when using this phrase and avoiding overly complex sentences. While alternatives exist, such as "so intimately that" or "to such an extent that", "so closely that" offers a direct and commonly understood means of expressing consequence arising from closeness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so intimately as to

Suggests a deep and personal connection or familiarity.

so intimately that

Emphasizes a deep, personal connection or proximity.

in such close proximity as to

Emphasizes the physical closeness and its consequence.

so nearly that

Focuses on a near miss or close approximation.

to such a degree that

Highlights the extent or intensity leading to a specific outcome.

to such an extent that

Highlights the degree or magnitude leading to a result.

in such a manner that

Focuses on the way something is done, resulting in a particular outcome.

such that they nearly

Rephrases to emphasize the result of the close proximity.

in such proximity that

Highlights the physical closeness or adjacency.

to that degree that

Focuses on the intensity or level of closeness.

FAQs

How can I use "so closely that" in a sentence?

Use "so closely that" to show a direct consequence of something being very near or similar. For instance, "The teams worked "so closely that" the finished product was a nice example of extended cognition."

What are some alternatives to "so closely that"?

Alternatives include "so intimately that", "to such an extent that", or "in such proximity that". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "very closely that" instead of "so closely that"?

While "very closely" can describe proximity, it doesn't inherently imply consequence like "so closely that" does. You would need to add a separate clause to show the result. The phrase "so closely that" is more direct and common when you want to express a cause-and-effect relationship.

What does "so closely that" emphasize in a sentence?

"So closely that" emphasizes the degree of proximity, similarity, or intensity, leading to a particular result or consequence. It highlights how the closeness directly causes the outcome described in the following clause. It's about demonstrating how related things are and that the relationship matters.