to close between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'to close between' is correct and usable in written English.
It means to bring close together, or narrow the gap. For example, you could say, "The two sides continued to talk in an effort to close between their differences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The Port of Dover was forced to close between 10.30am and 1.20pm because of rough seas.

Independent

The state forces liquor stores, called package stores, to close between 9 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.

The New York Times

Also in Kent, the Port of Dover was forced to close between 10.30am and 1.20pm because of high seas.

Independent

Nor has it significantly helped financially troubled Sears, which has announced plans to close between 100 and 120 stores  this year.

The New York Times

Disney said the transaction, which must comply with federal antitrust regulations, was expected to close between Sept. 10 and Dec. 31.

The New York Times

Another four Broadway plays, including "Blithe Spirit" and "Waiting for Godot," are to close between June 28 and July 19, and their theaters also have no bookings until fall.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"Our goal is to close gaps between rich and poor schools, not widen them".

The New York Times

Forecasts suggest the wind farm would be forced to close only between 40 to 60 hours during peak migration times.

The Guardian

Interventionists once attributed Japan's success to industrial policy and to close relations between groups of firms and banks.

The Economist

Obviously, the decision to close somewhere between two and six countries will not sit well with all parties.

Forbes

However, there are in fact many other relations that lead to close ties between computer science and statistical physics.

Theoretical Computer Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to close between", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being brought closer together, whether it's physical proximity, abstract concepts, or numerical values. Be specific about what is closing the distance.

Common error

Avoid using "to close between" when the intention is not about reducing a distance or gap. For instance, do not use it to describe actions that create separation rather than reduce it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to close between" primarily functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It often introduces a clause that explains the intention behind an action, which is to reduce the space or difference between two entities, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

32%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to close between" serves as an infinitive of purpose, commonly used to express the intention of reducing a gap or disparity. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and appears across various contexts, particularly in news media and scientific publications. While alternatives such as "narrow the gap" or "bridge the divide" exist, "to close between" succinctly conveys the aim of diminishing differences. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines what is being brought closer together. While versatile, its primary purpose is to suggest a deliberate effort to reduce space or dissimilarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to narrow the gap

Focuses on reducing the difference between two things, often quantitative.

to shorten the distance

Emphasizes physical or metaphorical distance reduction.

to bridge the divide

Uses different vocabulary and emphasizes overcoming a significant separation.

to reconcile differences

Specifically addresses resolving disagreements or conflicts.

to diminish the disparity

Highlights reducing inequality or imbalance.

to mend the breach

Implies repairing a break or rupture.

to connect the disconnect

Implies re-establishing a broken connection.

to iron out discrepancies

Refers to resolving minor inconsistencies or variations.

to unify separate entities

Focuses on bringing distinct entities into a single unit.

to converge disparate elements

Highlights the act of bringing different elements together.

FAQs

How can I use "to close between" in a sentence?

You can use "to close between" to indicate the act of reducing a gap or difference. For instance, "Efforts were made to close the gap between rich and poor schools".

What is an alternative to "to close between"?

Alternatives include "to narrow the gap", "to bridge the divide", or "to shorten the distance", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "close the gap between"?

Yes, "close the gap between" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase. It's another way of expressing "to close between" and is often used when discussing disparities or differences.

What is the nuance of using "to close between" compared to "narrow the gap"?

"To close between" implies a deliberate action to reduce the space or difference, while "narrow the gap" focuses more on the outcome of reducing that space, although they are often used interchangeably.