close to

IPA/klˈəʊs tuː/
IPA/klˈoʊs tuː/

close to — idiom

1. only a short distance away from a place, or only a short time before an event.

1.慣用語A2
釋義

only a short distance away from a place, or only a short time before an event.

例句

Reema booked a hotel close to the train station so she could walk.

close to + place noun

The bakery sits close to the river, just behind the old stone bridge.

close to describing physical location

同義詞
  • near

    a single word with the same meaning; slightly more formal as 'near to'

  • next to

    stronger — directly beside, with nothing in between

反義詞

文法句型

close to + noun (place / time)

用法筆記

Subject is usually a place, building, or point in time; the thing it is near follows directly as a noun. Distinguish from sense 2, which measures an amount rather than a position.

常見錯誤

My house is close the park.
My house is close to the park.
💡the phrase needs 'to' before the noun.

2. almost reaching a particular number, amount, or state, but not quite there yet.

2.慣用語B1
釋義

almost reaching a particular number, amount, or state, but not quite there yet.

例句

Close to ten thousand fans filled the stadium before the match began.

close to + large number

By the end of the long hike, Kwame was close to tears from exhaustion.

close to + emotional state noun

同義詞
  • nearly

    a single adverb; used directly before the number without 'to'

  • almost

    interchangeable in this sense; slightly more common before verbs

文法句型

close to + number / amount

用法筆記

Object is usually a number, a sum of money, or a noun naming a state that is about to be reached (tears, collapse, panic). Unlike sense 1, no real distance is involved.

常見錯誤

We waited close two hours for the bus.
We waited close to two hours for the bus.
💡keep 'to' before the amount.

3. knowing someone so well that you trust them and share warm, friendly feelings wi

3.慣用語B1
釋義

knowing someone so well that you trust them and share warm, friendly feelings with them.

例句

Sirin has always been close to her younger brother, even after he moved abroad.

be close to + family member

Growing up on the same street, Ilan stayed close to his childhood neighbours.

stay close to someone over time

同義詞
  • attached to

    stresses strong emotional bonding, often hard to break

  • fond of

    milder; warm feeling without the deep mutual closeness

反義詞

文法句型

be close to + person

用法筆記

Object must be a person or group of people, and the phrase usually follows the verb 'be', 'feel', 'stay', or 'become'. Distinguish from sense 1, where the object is a place, not a person.

常見錯誤

I am very close with my sister.
I am very close to my sister.
💡standard English pairs 'close' with 'to' for relationships, not 'with'.