was close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was close" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was nearly accurate, successful, or similar to something else in the past. Example: "The answer I gave was close, but not quite what the teacher was looking for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The play was close.

The New York Times

She was close now.

The New Yorker

But he was close.

The New York Times - Sports

He was close.

The New Yorker

But it was close.

The New York Times - Sports

Nevada was close behind.

The New York Times

Then it was close.

The New York Times - Sports

Still, I was close.

The New Yorker

The score was close.

The New York Times - Sports

"IT WAS close".

The New York Times - Science

"That was close!

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "was close" with more specific alternatives like "was nearly equal" or "was on the verge of" to enhance precision.

Common error

Avoid using "was close" without specifying what the subject was approaching. For instance, instead of saying "It was close", clarify with "The final score was close" or "The deadline was close".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was close" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating a state of nearness, either physically, temporally, or figuratively. As Ludwig AI explains, it is widely used to express that something almost happened or was nearly achieved.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was close" is a versatile and frequently used expression to indicate nearness in various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and predominantly found in news and media sources. When using "was close", ensure clarity by specifying what is near or nearly achieved. Consider using alternatives like ""was nearly"" or ""came near"" for greater precision. By avoiding ambiguity and choosing appropriate alternatives, you can effectively convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was almost

Similar to 'was nearly', but can be more general in application.

was nearly

Highlights that something almost reached a specific state or condition.

came near

Emphasizes the act of approaching a certain point or outcome.

was on the verge of

Indicates being at the brink of something happening.

was just about to

Focuses on the imminence of an action or event.

was within reach

Implies that something was attainable or achievable.

was a hair's breadth away

Emphasizes how extremely close something was to happening or being achieved.

was in proximity

Highlights the physical nearness or closeness.

was touch and go

Indicates that the situation was uncertain and could have gone either way.

was nip and tuck

Describes a situation where the outcome is very close and competitive.

FAQs

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

You can use "was close" to indicate nearness in various contexts. For example, "The game "was close"", "He "was close" to tears", or "The town "was close" by".

What are some alternatives to "was close"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "was nearly", "came near", or "was almost".

Is it correct to say "was close to"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Was close to" indicates that something nearly reached a particular state or location, as in "He "was close to" leaving" or "She "was close to" home".

What does "was close enough" mean?

"Was close enough" means that something was sufficiently near or similar to be acceptable or effective, even if not perfectly accurate. For instance, "It "was close enough" to my area of expertise".