worked close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "worked close" is not correct in standard written English; it should be "worked closely." You can use it when describing a situation where someone collaborated or interacted with another person or group in a close manner.
Example: "During the project, we worked closely with the marketing team to ensure our goals aligned."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Luckily, Anita worked close to home.

The New York Times

Staff members last year worked close to 20,000 free hours on community service projects.

The New York Times

It was a skin-on-skin collection, with snake and suede worked close to the body.

The New York Times - Style

In the children's hospice where she worked, close attention was paid to this, she said.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A minority worked close to the frontline in France and Belgium, often putting their own lives in danger.

The Guardian

Sparklehorse, the opening band, worked close to the minor-key folk-rock territory of R.E.M. and Neil Young.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

It was the first time I had witnessed how Jane worked close-up.

The Guardian - Arts

Those who worked closest to him have nothing but praise.

The Guardian

The Taiwanese factory where Mr. Zhang worked closed in 2012.

The New York Times

Measurements were taken on those who worked closest to noise sources to provide a "worst case" profile.

BMC Public Health

They work close to deadline.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for grammatical precision, replace "worked close" with "worked closely". This clarifies that you're describing how someone worked, rather than simply their physical proximity to work.

Common error

Avoid using "close" as an adverb when you need to describe how someone performed an action. "Close" is an adjective; the adverbial form is "closely". Therefore, use "worked closely" instead of "worked close" to correctly modify the verb.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worked close" functions as a verb phrase followed by an adjective attempting to act as an adverb. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase should be "worked closely" in standard written English. The core issue is using the adjective "close" instead of the adverb "closely" to modify the verb.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

27%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "worked close" appears with some frequency across various sources like news and science, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "worked closely", using the adverb "closely" to modify the verb "worked". This ensures clarity and appropriateness, especially in formal contexts. The phrase intends to describe the manner in which someone performed a job, and is best substituted with alternatives that emphasize proximity and collaboration. Always strive for grammatical accuracy and choose "worked closely" over "worked close" for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worked closely

Adds the adverbial form, indicating a higher degree of collaboration and correctness.

collaborated intimately

Focuses on the deep level of cooperation and personal connection during work.

labored intensely

Emphasizes the high level of effort and dedication in their work.

worked side by side

Highlights the physical closeness and shared effort during the work.

operated in proximity

Focuses on physical nearness and possibly coordinated activity.

functioned in concert

Emphasizes the coordinated and harmonious manner of working together.

cooperated effectively

Highlights the successful collaboration and achievement of common goals.

maintained close coordination

Stresses the sustained effort to work in a harmonized way.

liaised frequently

Suggests a pattern of regular communication while working.

interacted regularly

Indicates a consistent contact and communication pattern.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "worked close"?

No, the grammatically correct phrase is "worked closely". The word "close" is an adjective, while "closely" is the adverb that modifies the verb "worked". Using "worked close" is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English.

What does "worked closely" mean?

"Worked closely" means to collaborate or cooperate with someone in a thorough and intimate manner, indicating a high level of interaction and coordination. You can also say "collaborated intimately" to emphasize the deep level of cooperation and personal connection during the work.

Which is more appropriate, "worked close" or "worked closely"?

"Worked closely" is the appropriate and grammatically sound choice. "Worked close" does not follow standard English grammar rules. Always use the adverbial form "closely" to modify the verb "worked".

Are there situations where "worked close" might be acceptable?

While generally incorrect, "worked close" might appear in informal contexts or non-standard dialects. However, for formal writing or professional communication, it is best to use "worked closely" to ensure clarity and correctness.