that's close

USAGE SUMMARY

"that's close" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when someone has made a guess or estimate and it is close to being correct. For example, "I think the year the Mona Lisa was painted was 1510 - that's close, it was actually painted in 1503."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Camp Kesem is a cause that's close to Viner's heart.

Huffington Post

It's something that's close to my heart.

Independent

Still, by your standards that's close enough".

Independent

That's something that's close to me".

The Guardian - Sport

We have an inflation rate that's close to our objective.

The New York Times

It's a topic that's close to my heart.

The New York Times

He makes a noise that's close to a squeal.

The Guardian - Film

"I write code that's close to perfect," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

That makes this new/old Jaguar "a small project," but one that's close to his heart.

The New York Times

"Anybody that's close to me like that, I don't want to see struggling".

The New York Times - Sports

Santorum lost Michigan by three points, a margin that's close enough to keep him competitive.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that's close" to acknowledge an attempt or estimate that is reasonably accurate, providing positive reinforcement. For instance, when giving feedback on a student's answer.

Common error

Avoid using "that's close" when exactness is essential. In contexts such as scientific measurements or legal agreements, opt for more precise feedback to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that's close" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a preceding statement or action, indicating that it is nearly correct or accurate. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is a usable part of written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that's close" is a grammatically correct and neutrally registered phrase used to indicate that something is nearly accurate or correct. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, understanding its nuances is crucial. Its frequency is uncommon, mainly appearing in news and media and wiki contexts. Use it to provide positive feedback on approximations, but avoid it in scenarios requiring strict precision. Related phrases include "nearly correct" and "almost right". Remember to tailor your language to the specific context for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close enough

Indicates a level of proximity that is acceptable or sufficient for a given purpose.

nearly correct

Focuses on the correctness aspect, emphasizing the approximation is in terms of accuracy.

almost right

Highlights the aspect of being correct, but not fully so.

in the ballpark

Idiomatic expression indicating a general proximity to the correct answer or outcome.

not far off

Emphasizes the small distance from being accurate or correct.

approaching the target

Focuses on the action of getting nearer to a specific goal or value.

relatively near

Highlights that the proximity is considered significant or noticeable.

in the vicinity

Implies being near or around a particular location or value.

within range

Indicates being within a specific acceptable distance or limit.

getting there

Suggests progress towards a goal, implying current nearness.

FAQs

How can I use "that's close" in a sentence?

Use "that's close" to indicate an approximation or estimate that is nearly correct. For example, "You guessed 1950 as the year this building was constructed – "that's close", it was actually built in 1952".

What are some alternatives to saying "that's close"?

You can use phrases like "nearly correct", "almost right", or "in the ballpark" depending on the context.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "that's close"?

Avoid using "that's close" in scenarios where exactness and precision are crucial, such as in legal documentation or scientific reporting. In such cases, strive for explicit accuracy.

What does "that's close enough" mean, and how does it differ from "that's close"?

"That's close enough" implies that the approximation is acceptable for the current purpose, whereas ""that's close"" simply acknowledges nearness to the correct answer without necessarily implying acceptability. The context determines which phrase is more appropriate.