the case was closed

USAGE SUMMARY

'the case was closed' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a legal matter, to indicate that the issue has been resolved and that there will be no further proceedings. For example, "The jury reached a verdict and the case was closed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The case was closed without charges.

The New York Times

Everyone assumed that the case was closed.

The New Yorker

The case was closed without any prosecution.

The New York Times

No charges were brought and the case was closed.

The Guardian

The case was closed after a division worker was unable to locate the children.

The New York Times

The case was closed, however, and the truth may never be known.

The New York Times

Nine days later, after the charges had been declared unfounded, the case was closed.

The New York Times

After their work at Hill 328, Team 4 identified the tooth and the case was closed.

The New Yorker

The family pursued the case against his father's killers in court, but the case was closed.

The New York Times

The case was closed after officials at the I.R.S. headquarters in Washington overruled the district office.

The New York Times

A Supreme Court ruling on whether the case was closed had been expected next year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or formal matters, consider using "the case was closed" to provide a sense of finality and resolution to the reader.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "the case was closed" implies justice was served or a satisfactory outcome was achieved. It simply means the formal process has ended, regardless of the result.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the case was closed" functions as a declarative statement indicating that a particular case, typically legal or investigative, has been formally concluded. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Wiki

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the case was closed" is a commonly used phrase indicating the formal conclusion of a case or matter. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is frequently found in news and media contexts, functioning as a declarative statement. While it provides a sense of finality, it does not guarantee a just or satisfactory outcome. Related phrases include "the matter was resolved" and "the investigation concluded". When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding what "case" refers to. A common mistake is assuming that closure equates to justice. Understanding these nuances allows for more effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the matter was resolved

Replaces "case" with "matter", offering a more general term for the issue at hand. The focus is on the resolution of the situation.

the investigation concluded

Specifically refers to the ending of an investigation, implying a formal inquiry.

the issue was settled

Suggests a formal agreement or resolution, often in legal or business contexts.

the file was shut

Implies that documentation related to the case has been archived, suggesting a finality.

the matter is now considered final

Emphasizes the conclusive nature of the decision or outcome.

no further action was taken

Focuses on the absence of continued effort or investigation.

the inquiry has been finalized

Indicates that an inquiry is completely done.

the book is closed on the subject

Suggests that the subject is no longer up for debate or reconsideration. A more metaphorical expression.

an end has been put to the proceedings

Formal and emphasizes the termination of a formal process.

the saga is over

Implies the end of a long and complicated affair.

FAQs

How to use "the case was closed" in a sentence?

You can use "the case was closed" to indicate that a legal or investigative matter has been formally concluded. For example, "After the investigation, "the case was closed" due to lack of evidence".

What can I say instead of "the case was closed"?

You can use alternatives like "the matter was resolved", "the investigation concluded", or "the issue was settled" depending on the context.

Does "the case was closed" mean the matter is resolved justly?

No, ""the case was closed"" simply indicates that the formal proceedings have ended. It does not necessarily mean that justice was served or that the outcome is satisfactory to all parties involved.

What's the difference between "the case was closed" and "the investigation is ongoing"?

"The case was closed" signifies that the formal process has ended, while "the investigation is ongoing" means the matter is still under review and no final decision has been reached.