under close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under close" is not complete on its own and requires additional context to be correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in phrases like "under close scrutiny" or "under close observation" to indicate that something is being examined or monitored carefully. Example: "The project is under close review to ensure all standards are met before the final submission."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Militant protesters were put under close police protection.

The Economist

"It's under close surveillance".

The New Yorker

"Before accession, governments were under close scrutiny.

The Economist

Why is Justice Owen under close scrutiny?

The New York Times

Barack Obama's leadership is under close scrutiny.

The Guardian

But it remains under close police surveillance.

The Guardian

The camp commandant is under close arrest.

The Guardian

Latvia's election in the autumn will come under close observation.

The Economist

A police cruiser kept them under close watch.

The New York Times

Yuka Silvera's handsome costumes bear up under close scrutiny.

The New York Times

Ovechkin has a goal and an assist under close checking.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under close", ensure it is followed by a noun that specifies the type of monitoring or examination being conducted, such as scrutiny, observation, supervision, or guard. Without this, the phrase is incomplete and may sound awkward.

Common error

Avoid using "under close" without specifying what is being closely monitored or examined. For example, instead of saying "The situation is under close", clarify it as "The situation is under close observation" or "The situation is under close review".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under close" typically functions as a prepositional modifier, often indicating the state of being subjected to careful attention or monitoring. As Ludwig AI highlights, it requires completion with a noun (e.g., scrutiny, observation) to form a complete and grammatically sound phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "under close" is frequently used, it is grammatically incomplete and needs a following noun to specify what is being closely monitored or examined. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is acceptable but requires completion for clarity. It appears most commonly in news and scientific contexts, suggesting a formal or neutral tone. When using "under close", ensure it is followed by a noun like observation, scrutiny, supervision or guard to avoid ambiguity and maintain grammatical correctness. Authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian often employ this phrase in their reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under careful supervision

Replaces 'close' with 'careful', emphasizing the attentiveness of the supervision.

under strict surveillance

Substitutes 'close' with 'strict', highlighting the rigor and intensity of the monitoring.

under intense scrutiny

Uses 'intense' instead of 'close', stressing the depth and thoroughness of the examination.

under tight observation

Replaces 'close' with 'tight', suggesting a focused and vigilant watch.

subject to close review

Changes the structure to 'subject to', indicating that something is undergoing a detailed evaluation.

closely monitored

Transforms the phrase into a passive construction, focusing on the action of monitoring.

carefully watched

Similar to 'closely monitored', but emphasizes the act of watching with care.

under constant observation

Uses 'constant' to indicate continuous and uninterrupted monitoring.

under vigilant oversight

Replaces 'close' with 'vigilant', stressing the watchfulness and attentiveness in the oversight.

subject to rigorous examination

Similar to 'subject to close review' but uses 'rigorous' to denote a more thorough and exacting process.

FAQs

How can I use "under close" in a sentence?

The phrase "under close" is typically used with nouns like observation, scrutiny, supervision or guard. For example: "The suspect is "under close observation"." or "The project is "under close scrutiny"".

What are some alternatives to "under close"?

Alternatives include phrases like "under careful supervision", "under strict surveillance", or "under intense scrutiny" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say just "under close"?

While commonly used, "under close" is grammatically incomplete on its own. It requires a noun to specify the type of monitoring or examination. Saying "The situation is "under control"" would be more appropriate in some situations.

What does it mean when something is "under close scrutiny"?

When something is ""under close scrutiny"", it means it is being examined carefully and thoroughly, often because there are concerns or a need for detailed evaluation.