way too close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "way too close" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate something is very close, often in a uncomfortable or worrying way. For example: "The two cars ahead of me were driving way too close for comfort."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Way too close".

The New York Times - Sports

"People are getting way too close".

The Guardian

"He is way too close to the Rudd Camp.

The Guardian - Books

"That's way too close to the margin," Mr. Baecher said.

The New York Times

It was terrorism, just way too close to home.

The Guardian - Books

"He was way too close to be objective.

The New York Times

He was stationed way too close to the sideline when the ball was thrown.

The New York Times

("Income and expenses were way too close to identical, historically," said Steve Young, the board's chairman).

The New York Times

Critics rage that it's a mere two blocks from the 9/11 site — way too close.

The New Yorker

My husband's mother was obsessed with him – it came way too close to being incestuous.

Independent

"People are getting way too close," she told the AP after Tuesday's attack.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "way too close" to express discomfort or concern about physical proximity, emotional intimacy, or any situation where something is nearing an undesirable limit. For example: "The car behind me was driving way too close for comfort."

Common error

Avoid using "way too close" in situations where you simply mean something is "close" without the implication of excessiveness or discomfort. The 'way too' adds emphasis and should only be used when that emphasis is intended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "way too close" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective. It emphasizes the degree to which something is near, implying that the proximity is excessive or undesirable. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "way too close" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is uncomfortably or excessively near. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to add emphasis and convey a negative evaluation of proximity, whether physical, emotional, or metaphorical. It is most frequently used in news and media contexts. While "way too close" is suitable for a variety of situations, be mindful of the implied emphasis and discomfort it carries, and consider alternatives like "uncomfortably close" or "dangerously near" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncomfortably close

Highlights the feeling of discomfort associated with the closeness.

a bit too near for comfort

Adds a sense of unease and personal space violation.

far too near

Emphasizes physical proximity, using "near" instead of "close".

inappropriately close

Suggests that the closeness is unsuitable or unwelcome.

unacceptably near

Emphasizes that the level of proximity is not tolerable.

dangerously near

Suggests a threat or risk resulting from the proximity.

far beyond a safe distance

Highlights the lack of safety due to the closeness.

excessively proximate

Uses more formal and technical language to convey excessive closeness.

much too intimate

Emphasizes the personal or emotional aspect of being too close.

rather too adjacent

Uses "adjacent" to stress physical nearness.

FAQs

What does "way too close" mean?

The phrase "way too close" signifies that something is much nearer than is comfortable or acceptable, often implying a sense of unease or potential danger.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "way too close"?

Use "way too close" when you want to emphasize that something is uncomfortably or dangerously near, whether physically, emotionally, or metaphorically. For example, you might say, "That joke was "way too close to home"".

What are some alternatives to saying "way too close"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "far too near", "uncomfortably close", or "dangerously near".

Is there a difference between "too close" and "way too close"?

Yes, "way too close" intensifies the meaning of "too close". It expresses a stronger sense of discomfort, danger, or inappropriateness than simply saying "too close".