trailed closely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trailed closely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that follows another closely in distance or time. Example: "The runner trailed closely behind the leader, determined to catch up before the finish line."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Cochran had 50.9% while McDaniel trailed closely behind on 49.1%.

The Guardian

She was trailed closely by an aide who kept journalists at bay.

The New Yorker

It was the best starter, trailed closely by three tiny crab cakes ($12) sparked by a cayenne-sherry mayonnaise.

The New York Times - Food

Attentive basketball fans would agree that Kevin Durant is neck and neck with LeBron James and Chris Paul (and trailed closely by Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant) in the M.V.P. race this season.

The New York Times

Oracle trailed closely, growing with the demand for enterprise databases.

TechCrunch

Dripping wet, I walked into town, trailed closely by a ragged band of boys, all of them trying to sell me expired 10 trillion dollar bills.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Clarke leads the European Order of Merit heading into the tournament, but Lee Westwood trails closely, followed by Ernie Els, Thomas Bjorn, Michael Campbell and Colin Montgomerie.

The New York Times - Sports

Jeff Zucker, the chief executive of NBC Universal, which is trailing closely behind the three other big networks, seems equally chastened.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is Japan's second-biggest trust bank, handling ¥52 trillion of corporate-pension and other trust assets trailing closely the trust-banking unit of MTFG, which would gain a huge size advantage if a complete merger with UFJ went ahead.

The Economist

The Nets slipped in and out of alertness, allowing the 76ers to trail closely in their shadow on a night that began ominously, with Coach Lawrence Frank unsure if Harris would even dress.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, JD is trailing closely through a flurry of deals with key brick-and-mortar players like supermarket group Yonghui and the American giant Walmart.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trailed closely" to emphasize the proximity and intensity of following, whether in a physical or metaphorical sense. For instance, "The economic recovery trailed closely behind the new policy implementation."

Common error

Avoid using "trailed closely" when the emphasis is on general influence rather than direct following. For example, instead of saying "The project's success trailed closely the CEO's vision", consider "The project's success reflected the CEO's vision" if the link isn't about direct sequence or pursuit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trailed closely" functions as an adverbial modifier, describing how something or someone follows another. Ludwig's examples show it often modifies verbs of motion or action, emphasizing proximity and immediacy.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trailed closely" is a useful way to describe something that follows another with proximity and intensity. As Ludwig AI explains, it's grammatically sound and finds frequent use in various contexts, especially in news and media. While alternatives like "followed closely" or "stayed close behind" exist, understanding the specific nuance helps choose the most appropriate wording. Remember to avoid misusing it in contexts where general influence, not direct following, is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stayed close behind

Simple and direct way of expressing proximity while following.

followed right behind

Emphasizes immediacy and proximity in following.

shadowed intensely

Implies a more deliberate and focused act of following.

pursued relentlessly

Highlights the determination and persistence in the pursuit.

tagged along closely

Suggests an informal and often invited following.

hunted incessantly

Indicates a continuous and aggressive pursuit.

chased intently

Focuses on the action of chasing with great focus.

dogged their heels

Emphasizes persistent and bothersome following.

kept pace with

Highlights maintaining the same speed or progress.

nursed their wounds

Refers to recover from a bad experience, but always keeping in mind the competition.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "trailed closely" in a sentence?

You can replace "trailed closely" with phrases like "followed right behind", "stayed close behind", or "kept pace with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "trailed closely" mean?

"Trailed closely" means to follow someone or something very closely, either in physical space or in a sequence of events. It implies a short distance or time between the follower and the followed.

Is it more formal to say "followed closely" or "trailed closely"?

"Followed closely" is generally perceived as more formal than "trailed closely". While both are acceptable, "followed closely" may be preferred in professional or academic writing.

Can "trailed closely" be used in contexts other than physical following?

Yes, "trailed closely" can be used metaphorically to describe events or situations that closely follow one another. For example, "The company's profits trailed closely its innovative marketing campaign".