will be close

USAGE SUMMARY

"will be close" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something that will happen in the near future, as in: "The store will be close at 6pm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It will be close.

Independent

But it will be close.

Independent

But the race will be close.

The Economist

This one will be close.

The New York Times - Sports

The final will be close.

The Guardian - Sport

That means the margin will be close.

The Guardian - Sport

Polls show the vote will be close.

The New York Times

I think Arsenal will be close this year, Liverpool will be close as well".

Independent

All of these tactics assume the election will be close.

The New York Times

Polls suggest they will be close to that total again.

The Guardian

One thing is certain: It will be close.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "will be close" to describe a future event, ensure the context clearly indicates what is nearing or what two entities are in proximity.

Common error

Avoid using "will be close" in situations where 'near' or 'nearby' are more appropriate, particularly for physical locations. "Will be close" often implies a competitive or consequential proximity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will be close" primarily functions as a predicate adjective, describing a state or condition that is impending or near. This usage is supported by the examples provided by Ludwig, which indicate its application across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase "will be close" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression in written English. Its primary function is to indicate that something is nearing, whether it's a deadline, a physical location, or a competitive outcome. The phrase appears frequently in news and media, but it's also present in scientific and wiki contexts, giving it a neutral register. Remember to consider the intended context to make sure you're conveying the right meaning with the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will be a photo finish

Emphasizes the extreme closeness of a race or competition, requiring a photograph to determine the winner.

will be neck and neck

Specifically describes a competitive situation where participants are very close in the standings.

will be decided by a whisker

Highlights the small margin that will determine the result of a contest or decision.

will be nip and tuck

Similar to "neck and neck", this phrase conveys a closely contested situation with frequent lead changes.

will be a toss-up

Indicates a situation where the outcome is highly uncertain and both possibilities are equally likely.

will be on the verge of

Emphasizes the imminence of a particular state or event, suggesting a slightly more dramatic anticipation.

will be just around the corner

Implies that something is imminent and nearby, either literally or figuratively.

will be nearing completion

Focuses on the process of approaching finalization rather than the proximity of two entities or outcomes.

will be within reach

Highlights the attainability of a goal or objective in the near future.

will be happening soon

General statement about the near future, without any specific emphasis on the degree of proximity.

FAQs

How can I use "will be close" in a sentence?

You can use "will be close" to describe a tight competition, such as "The election results "will be close"", or the proximity of an event, like "The deadline "will be close" soon".

What's the difference between "will be close" and "will be near"?

"Will be close" often implies a competitive or consequential proximity, while "will be near" typically refers to physical location or time. For example, "The two runners "will be close" at the finish line" (competitive) versus "The town "will be near" the mountains" (location).

What are some alternatives to "will be close"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "will be tight", "will be neck and neck", or "will be imminent".

Is it correct to say "will be closely" instead of "will be close"?

No, "will be closely" has a different meaning. "Will be close" describes proximity, while "will be closely" describes how something is done. For example, "The race "will be close"" versus "The data "will be analyzed closely"".