close to
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adverb 1. Approximately, nearly: Used to indicate that a number, quantity, or measurement is not exact but is near the stated amount or degree.
Usage
Close to is used before a number or quantity to give an approximate figure. It is common in both spoken and written English.
Examples
- Adverb:
- The project will cost close to a million dollars.
- She is close to six feet tall.
- We have lived here for close to twenty years.
- The temperature was close to freezing.
Advanced Usage
- Close to + -ing form: Can be used to indicate being near to a state or action.
- He was close to tears. (He was almost crying.)
- The company is close to signing the contract. (The company is almost ready to sign.)
Variants and Related Words
- Approximately (adv.): Close to a particular number or time, though not exact.
- Nearly (adv.): Almost, very close to.
- Roughly (adv.): Approximately, not in a precise way.
- Just about (adv.): Almost exactly.
- More or less (adv.): Approximately.
Synonyms
- About
- Around
- Almost
- Virtually
- Nigh (archaic or literary)
Related Phrases
- Close on: (British English) Nearly a particular number, especially an age.
- He is close on eighty years old.
- Getting on for: (Informal, chiefly British) Almost a particular time, age, or amount.
- It was getting on for midnight when they left.
Adverb
- (of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct
- lasted approximately an hour
- in just about a minute
- he's about 30 years old
- I've had about all I can stand
- we meet about once a month
- some forty people came
- weighs around a hundred pounds
- roughly $3,000
- holds 3 gallons, more or less
- 20 or so people were at the party