Grammar fix
close the gap
close a difference
To make a difference between groups or levels much smaller or remove it completely.
collocation
How oftenCommon
LevelB2
Used inSpeech & writing
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
The company raised entry-level salaries to close the gap between its lowest- and highest-paid workers.
I was way behind my classmates in maths, but I did an hour a day over the summer and pretty much closed the gap by the next term.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: The policy shortened the gap between the two regions.
Say: The policy closed the gap between the two regions.
With 'gap' meaning a difference, English uses 'close' or 'narrow', not 'shorten'.
Don't confuse it
Other ways to say it
Make a difference between groups smaller
How muchReduceRemove
narrow the gapMake a difference in achievement, income, or access smaller.bridge the gapConnect separated groups or reduce a difference between them.
close the gapYou're here · Bring groups or levels closer, potentially removing the difference.