a near second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a near second" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very close to being in second place or a close approximation of a second position. Example: "In the race, she finished a near second, just a fraction of a second behind the winner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

[phone]; 14 Avenue A, near Second Street; $; smoking at the bar; American Express, Mastercard, Visa.

The New York Times

Today and tomorrow (and Thursdays through Saturdays through May 20) at 8 p.m. Context Studios, 28 Avenue A, near Second Street, East Village.

The New York Times

A near second on that score, across the gardens, is Monika Sosnowska, who has somehow shoehorned the huge twisted armature of a hypothetical building into Poland's pavilion, recalling coups of unlikely architecture by Gordon Matta-Clark and Robert Smithson. Matta-Clark and Robert Smithson

The New York Times - Arts

A near second order converging interface curvature is obtained by following a height function methodology (common amongst volume of fluid schemes) in the context of the conservative level set.

Journal of Computational Physics

While Knight once wrote that the original sin was "the human propensity to be simpleminded," his actions suggest that an unwillingness to take a stand must have been a near second.

University of Chicago

On the game side, Zelda: Breath of the Wild remains the top hit for the Switch, with 3.92 million copies sold to date (almost one per console out there), while the re-released Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a near second with 3.54 million.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

A near first-place sweep for Nadal, although it seems best not to ask him to play for your life at this United States Open (he has withdrawn).

The New York Times - Sports

With the adsorption/desorption mechanism employed, a near first-order Thiele modulus effectiveness factor relationship is obeyed over the particle's lifetime.

Combustion and Flame

Having survived two world wars and a near third, my perfect bar closed down a few days after I had found it in April 2014.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's not until you reach a near First-World level of development that pursuing your passions rather than escaping poverty seems like a reasonable and/or admirable thing to do.

TechCrunch

That victory showcased a bright, attacking display from a near first-choice Roberto Martinez side to give them confidence of achieving their manager's aim of going as far as possible in this season's competition.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a near second" when you want to emphasize that something or someone almost achieved second place, highlighting how close they were to that position. For instance, "The company's product was a near second in market share this year, showing significant growth."

Common error

While "a near second" and "a close second" are similar, "a close second" often implies a more competitive situation or a smaller margin between first and second place. Use "a near second" when the emphasis is on almost achieving second rather than the competitiveness of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a near second" functions as a descriptive element, typically modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates that something or someone almost achieved the position of second place. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a near second" is a grammatically sound and idiomatic way to express that something or someone closely approached second place. According to Ludwig AI, it’s perfectly acceptable for use in written English. While not overly common, appearing primarily in news, science, and academic contexts, the phrase provides a nuanced way to highlight a close miss. Remember to use it when you want to emphasize the proximity to second place rather than the competitiveness of the situation. Alternatives include "almost second" and "close to second place", but "a near second" adds a specific flavor to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost second

Emphasizes being just shy of second place.

virtually second

Similar to almost second but includes the word virtually which is a synonym for almost.

close to second place

Highlights the small margin separating from second position.

a close second

Focuses on the minimal difference in performance or ranking.

just behind second

Emphasizes the proximity to second, suggesting a minimal difference.

runner-up

Denotes the individual or team finishing immediately after the winner.

second-best

Implies being the next best option or performer.

in second position

Indicates holding the second rank or spot.

next in line

Suggests being the immediate successor or alternative.

the immediate follower

Highlights following closely behind the leader.

FAQs

How can I use "a near second" in a sentence?

You can use "a near second" to describe something that almost reached second place. For example, "The athlete finished "a near second" in the race, just missing the top two."

What's the difference between "a near second" and "almost second"?

"A near second" is a phrase that emphasizes how close something was to achieving second place. "Almost second" is a more direct way of saying the same thing, but lacks the idiomatic feel of "a near second". Both can be used interchangeably in most contexts.

Is it correct to say "a near second place"?

While grammatically correct, it's redundant. The phrase "a near second" already implies place or position, so adding "place" is unnecessary. Stick with "a near second" for a more concise expression.

What can I say instead of "a near second"?

You can use alternatives like "almost second", "close to second place", or "runner-up" depending on the context.