which is close to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'which is close to' is correct and usable in written English.
You would use it when you want to compare two similar things that are not exact. For example, "My hometown is a small city, which is close to the capital."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rockabilly – which is close to hillbilly".

The Guardian - Music

Drummer Rigby came from Middleton, which is close to Bury.

Independent

Turkey, which is close to Azerbaijan, also resents Mr Aliev's warmth to Israel.

The Economist

"The aggression in Ukraine, which is close to us, has certainly helped recruitment," he said.

Independent

HMV's closure will only add to unemployment in Ireland, which is close to 15%.

The Guardian - Business

"Senator Tillis has a bill which is close to the DREAM Act.

The New Yorker

Refreshments are available at the Cavendish Pavilion which is close to the Sandholme car park.

The Guardian - Travel

I'm from northern Wisconsin, which is close to Canada - the landscape is very similar.

The Guardian - Music

R2 value was 0.9652 which is close to 0.98.

Applied Water Science

The model predicts 600 mV-potential loss at OCV, which is close to the experimental data.

Electrochimica Acta

Chain stiffness is characterised in terms of the persistence length, which is close to 50 nm.

Journal of Structural Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which is close to" to indicate an approximation or near location, but consider if a more precise term would improve clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "which is close to" when describing things that are significantly different. Opt for phrases like "which is related to" or "which influences" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which is close to" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun phrase by providing additional information about its proximity or similarity to something else. Ludwig AI supports this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

45%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which is close to" is a versatile relative clause used to indicate proximity, similarity, or approximation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across diverse contexts, notably in science and news media. While widely applicable, it's important to consider the specific context and whether a more precise term would enhance clarity. The phrase enjoys a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. Considering the information provided by Ludwig, the phrase is very common and well-understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that approximates

Uses a verb to express approximation rather than a descriptive phrase.

that is in the vicinity of

Emphasizes physical nearness or a surrounding area.

that is nearly equal to

Highlights numerical or quantitative similarity.

that is similar to

Focuses on general resemblance rather than spatial proximity.

that is akin to

Implies a deeper connection or resemblance, often in characteristics or nature.

that neighbors

Highlights physical adjacency and connection.

that is reminiscent of

Suggests a likeness that evokes memories or associations.

that borders on

Implies a shared boundary or threshold.

that verges on

Suggests approaching a state or condition.

that is comparable to

Highlights the ability to be compared or measured against something else.

FAQs

How do I use "which is close to" in a sentence?

Use "which is close to" to describe something that is approximately near in distance, value, or characteristic to something else. For example, "The town is located near the border, "which is close to" the mountains."

What can I say instead of "which is close to"?

You can use alternatives like "that approximates", "that is similar to", or "that is nearly equal to" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "which is close to" or "which is near"?

Both "which is close to" and "which is near" are grammatically correct, but "which is close to" often implies a greater degree of approximation or resemblance than "which is near", which typically denotes physical proximity.

What's the difference between "which is close to" and "which is related to"?

"Which is close to" suggests proximity in space, time, or value, while "which is related to" indicates a connection or association that may not involve proximity. Use "which is related to" when physical nearness is not the primary focus.