under close guard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under close guard" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is being closely monitored or protected. Example: "The valuable artwork was kept under close guard to prevent theft."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

In another chapter, Mr. Woodward tells us that Mr. Hadley, put in charge of a secret 2006 review of the war (reportedly kept under close guard because of White House fears that news coverage might hurt Republican chances in the mid-term elections), so "hero-worshipped" the president that he often sidelined his own analytic methods to embrace Mr. Bush's certainties.

The New York Times - Books

She is now under close guard against attack.

The New York Times

1789 The French revolution sees the beleaguered royal family return to Paris, staying in the Tuileries Palace under close guard.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

What could be more American than just suing the living shit out of someone for no reason at all?" Some of Ass's legal theories remain under close guard.

The New Yorker

It was unclear at the time how such an old man, under close guard as the last inmate of Spandau, could have hanged himself.

The New York Times

Renamed Eden, she soon finds herself in a regiment of sex slaves, most of them immigrants, imprisoned under close guard in a converted storage facility.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Charles then twice refused the terms offered by the English Parliament and was put under closer guard, from which he vainly tried again to escape.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Karzai remained in Kandahar under close American guard tonight.

The New York Times

The elevated ABA hormone aids plant to acclimate under lower water availability by closing guard cells and accumulating numerous proteins for osmotic adjustment.

Rice

A spate of prison pictures from Texas shows men behind bars, at hard labor picking and transporting cotton and "relaxing" under close supervision by guards.

The New York Times

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has many different strategies to explore when developing your guard game: open guard, closed guard, butterfly guard, half guard, spider guard, rubber guard and the combinations go on.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "under close guard" when you want to emphasize that someone or something is being carefully protected and monitored to prevent harm or escape.

Common error

Avoid using "under close guard" when the situation involves only casual or routine monitoring. This phrase implies a high level of security and vigilance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under close guard" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a state of protection or surveillance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. The phrase suggests that the subject is being carefully monitored and protected.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "under close guard" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys a situation where someone or something is being carefully protected and monitored. Predominantly found in news media, this phrase is useful when describing situations demanding a high degree of security. Remember to use it when emphasizing vigilance, and consider alternatives like "closely guarded" or "under tight security" for nuanced contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

closely guarded

This alternative uses an adjective to describe the state of being guarded, emphasizing the tight security.

under tight security

This phrase emphasizes the presence of strong security measures.

heavily protected

This phrase emphasizes the level of protection afforded to the subject.

strictly supervised

This alternative highlights the supervision aspect, rather than just the guarding.

closely watched

Focuses on the surveillance aspect, implying careful observation.

under surveillance

Similar to 'closely watched' but emphasizes a more formal or technological monitoring.

under police protection

Specifically indicates protection by law enforcement.

in protective custody

This suggests a formal arrangement for safety, often by authorities.

securely contained

Highlights the act of keeping something safely within a defined area.

heavily fortified

Emphasizes the strengthening of defenses around a location or object.

FAQs

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

You can use "under close guard" to describe someone or something that is being carefully protected to prevent harm or escape. For example, "The suspect was kept "under close guard" at the police station".

What are some alternatives to "under close guard"?

Some alternatives include "closely guarded", "under tight security", or "strictly supervised", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "under close guard" or "under heavy guard"?

"Under close guard" and "under heavy guard" are similar, but "under heavy guard" might suggest more personnel or stronger defenses. The best choice depends on the specific situation.

What does it mean when someone is "under close guard"?

When someone is "under close guard", it means they are being very carefully watched and protected, often due to a high risk of escape, harm, or theft.