More nearly

USAGE SUMMARY

"more nearly" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the closeness or similarity between two objects, people, ideas, or events. For example, "The two teams were more nearly matched than ever before."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Thereafter the abundance is more nearly constant.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One-third would be more nearly accurate.

The New York Times - Books

The opposite is more nearly the case.

The New Yorker

Elsewhere in the countryside social conditions were more nearly equal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

What's more, nearly all the quotes were for below £300.

The Guardian - Money

In places, the stairs more nearly resembled a ladder.

The New Yorker

Stylistically, they more nearly resemble succulent Napa and Australian blends.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The body is more nearly fusiform (tapered at both ends) than those of other members of the order.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We wish him well in a world where intelligent, intelligible communication is becoming ever more nearly extinct.

The New Yorker

Venus is more nearly spherical than most planets.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Protestant and Roman Catholic arrangements more nearly match one another.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more nearly" when you want to convey that something is approaching a certain state or condition but hasn't quite reached it. It's useful for expressing approximations and tendencies.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "more nearly" can sound overly formal in everyday conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "almost" or "nearly" in less formal settings for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more nearly" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, specifying the degree to which something approaches a particular state or condition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

25%

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more nearly" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express approximation or closeness to a certain state, as verified by Ludwig AI. It's commonly found in formal writing, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. While "more nearly" is appropriate for formal settings, simpler terms like "almost" or "nearly" may be preferable in casual conversation. Understanding the contexts in which "more nearly" is typically used will help you effectively integrate it into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more closely

Emphasizes a tighter alignment or resemblance.

more approximately

Highlights the inexact nature of the match.

almost exactly

Indicates a very slight deviation from perfect.

in closer proximity

Focuses on physical or conceptual nearness.

to a greater extent

Broader in scope, indicating a larger degree of similarity.

with greater accuracy

Emphasizes precision in approximation.

more precisely

Highlights accuracy and exactness.

virtually the same

Stresses near-identity or equivalence.

essentially equivalent

Implies functional sameness despite potential minor differences.

near enough

Indicates that the approximation is satisfactory for the given purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "more nearly" in a sentence?

You can use "more nearly" to indicate that something is approaching a state or condition without fully reaching it. For example, "The two values are "more nearly" equal than before."

What's the difference between "more nearly" and "almost"?

"More nearly" suggests a trend or approximation towards a specific state, while "almost" simply indicates that something is close to happening or being true. For example, "The project is "more nearly" complete" implies progress towards completion, whereas "The project is "almost complete"" just indicates its current state.

Are there synonyms for "more nearly" that sound less formal?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "almost", "virtually", "practically", or "close to" as less formal alternatives to "more nearly".

Is it correct to say "more near" instead of "more nearly"?

While "near" can function as an adjective, "nearly" functions as an adverb, better suited to modify verbs or adjectives. "More nearly" is the grammatically conventional choice when intending to convey a stronger sense of approximation or closeness.