this is close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is close" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is near to a desired outcome or target, often in a context of approximation or comparison. Example: "Your answer is almost correct; this is close, but you need to adjust a few details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And this is close".

The New York Times

This is close enough.

The New York Times

I think this is close.

The Guardian - Sport

"This is close to a commercial vehicle".

The New York Times

This is close to "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" territory.

The New York Times

This is close to the ECB's "reference value" of 4.5%.

The Economist

"This is close to a predatory lending practice," added a regulator who spoke to Bloomberg News.

The New York Times

"This is close but definitely not 100% of the UK's fair share.

The Guardian

But none of this is close to what Eterni.me is promising.

The New Yorker

Like Orwell's imaginary The Moon Under Water, this is close to being the perfect pub.

The Guardian

This is close to the employment rate for the general population.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is close" to indicate an approximation or near-achievement, but be specific about what refinements are needed to reach the desired outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "this is close" without explaining how close something is or what is needed to make it fully accurate. Adding specific details will enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is close" functions as a statement of approximation or nearness. It suggests that something is approaching a desired state, value, or target. Ludwig AI indicates this expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

46%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this is close" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to indicate approximation or nearness. Ludwig AI confirms it's correct in written English. It's commonly found in both news and scientific contexts, signaling its broad applicability. For enhanced clarity in writing, always provide context to specify the degree of closeness or what adjustments are required for accuracy. While versatile and very common in the English language, using more specific language such as "this is approximately correct" will improve clarity in more formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's about right

Emphasizes general correctness, slightly less formal.

that's in the ballpark

Uses an idiom to suggest an approximate value or answer.

that's approximately correct

More formal and emphasizes numerical approximation.

that's nearly accurate

Highlights the level of accuracy achieved.

that's in the vicinity of

Suggests a spatial or numerical proximity.

it's almost spot on

Informal, conveys a high degree of accuracy.

it's a fair approximation

Emphasizes that it is a reasonable but not perfect estimate.

that's edging towards

Conveys slight progress and being nearly there.

it's not far off

An informal way of saying something is only slightly wrong.

that's reasonably near

Implies that the margin of error is acceptable.

FAQs

How can I use "this is close" in a sentence?

You can use "this is close" to express that something is near to a particular goal, value, or state. For example, "The estimate is not perfect, but "this is close" to the actual cost."

What's the difference between "this is close" and "this is near"?

"This is close" and "this is near" are often interchangeable, but "this is close" often implies a more abstract sense of approximation, while "this is near" focuses more on physical proximity. You could also use alternatives like "this is nearly right".

What can I say instead of "this is close" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "this is approximately correct" or "this is nearly accurate". These options provide a more precise and professional feel.

Is it always appropriate to use "this is close" in academic writing?

While "this is close" is generally acceptable, academic writing often benefits from more precise language. Consider using specific measures of proximity or accuracy instead. For example, instead of "this is close to the expected result", write "this is in the vicinity of the expected result by 5%".