to close the gap

USAGE SUMMARY

"to close the gap" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to closing the gap between two things, such as opinions, abilities, or physical spaces. For example, "The two sides must work together to close the gap in their competing views."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

But we're beginning to close the gap.

The New York Times - Science

What solutions have been proposed to close the gap?

The New York Times

"I tried all the time to close the gap.

The New York Times - Sports

"I have tried to close the gap between us.

The New Yorker

"We are all passionate to close the gap.

The Guardian

Now Smirnoff is trying to close the gap.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

The cloud can help to close the gap.

Forbes

80 years on as Australia struggles to "close the gap", their words echo across the generations.

Vice

But to close the gap we have to keep winning".

The Guardian - Sport

Bring the relationship back into focus to close the gap.

Forbes

Private funds are needed to close the gap.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to close the gap", ensure the context clearly identifies the two entities or concepts between which the gap is being closed.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating what the "gap" exists between. For instance, instead of saying "Efforts were made to close the gap", specify "Efforts were made to close the gap between academic performance and real-world application".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to close the gap" functions as an infinitive phrase that typically acts as an adverbial of purpose, explaining the reason or intention behind an action. Ludwig AI provides many examples where it clarifies the aim or objective of specific efforts or strategies.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to close the gap" is a commonly used phrase that signifies efforts to reduce or eliminate differences between entities or concepts. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse fields, including news, science, and business. It serves as an adverbial of purpose, indicating the intent to resolve inequalities or improve alignment. While versatile, clarity in specifying the gap's components is crucial. Alternative phrases like "to bridge the divide" or "to narrow the divide" offer nuanced expressions depending on the desired impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to bridge the divide

Emphasizes overcoming a significant separation, often in opinions or beliefs.

to narrow the divide

Focuses on reducing the distance or disagreement between two entities.

to reduce the disparity

Highlights the act of lessening an inequality or difference in conditions.

to diminish the difference

Stresses making a distinction less noticeable or significant.

to level the playing field

Implies creating equal opportunities where an imbalance previously existed.

to even things out

Suggests making circumstances more balanced or fair.

to reconcile differences

Highlights the act of resolving conflicts or disagreements to achieve harmony.

to minimize the gap

Focuses on decreasing the size or extent of the difference.

to abridge the distance

Emphasizes shortening or reducing the separation, whether physical or metaphorical.

to rectify the imbalance

Highlights correcting a state of inequality or unfairness.

FAQs

What does "to close the gap" mean?

The phrase "to close the gap" means to reduce or eliminate the difference or disparity between two things, such as performance levels, opinions, or resources.

How can I use "to close the gap" in a sentence?

You can use "to close the gap" to describe efforts to reduce a difference. For example: "The company is implementing new training programs "to close the gap" between employee skills and industry standards".

What is a good alternative to "to close the gap"?

Alternatives to "to close the gap" include "to bridge the divide", "to narrow the divide", or "to reduce the disparity", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "close the gap" or "narrow the gap"?

Both "close the gap" and "narrow the gap" are correct, but they imply different degrees of success. "Close the gap" suggests complete elimination of the difference, while "narrow the gap" suggests a reduction, but not necessarily a complete resolution. It depends on whether the difference is intended to be eliminated completely or just reduced.