ENGLISH
REFERENCE

closely

adv. manner
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈkɫoʊsɫi// UK //klˈəʊsli// close·ly Archaic General-service

adv. in a way that pays very careful attention to every detail. You use this when you are looking at or listening to something very carefully to find small things.

adv. in a manner characterized by careful attention to detail or rigorous scrutiny. Often used to describe observation, monitoring, or cooperation between two parties.


SIMPLE

The doctor watches the patient's heart rate closely.

CONTEXTUAL

The security team monitors the entrance closely to ensure that only authorized staff enter the building.

COMPLEX

By examining the brushstrokes closely, the art historian was able to determine that the painting was an original work rather than a later copy.

Synonyms
Origin

From close + -ly.

Usage

Typically placed after the verb it modifies or at the end of the clause.

Pitfall

I closely looked at the mapI looked at the map closelyWhile 'closely' can precede the verb, it most naturally follows the verb or the direct object in standard English.

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