at the nearest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the nearest" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe the proximity of something, for example: "He took a taxi to the nearest store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

/ Pull over at the nearest rest area.

The New Yorker

Sales at the nearest Chevrolet dealer rose 41percentt.

The Washington Post

And you jump out at the nearest person.

The Guardian - Music

No. 12446, § 2(a), substituted "rounded to the next lowest" for "fixed at the nearest".

Cornell University

He died after arrival at the nearest trauma centre, 16 kilometres away.

Nature

I decided at that very moment that I would protest at the nearest and soonest rally.

The Washington Post

Others said they'd be stocking up at the nearest Nike store.

The Washington Post

At the nearest bar we talked about ourselves and everything else.

The Guardian - Travel

Ms. Huyen said that "one or two" poor families sold their chickens at the nearest market.

The New York Times

The IDF claimed: 'A gunmen opened fire at the nearest IDF post.

The Guardian

A granite stone was also erected, at the nearest land spot to the crash site.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the nearest" to clearly indicate the closest available option or location when providing instructions or directions.

Common error

Avoid using "near" when "nearest" is required for specifying the absolute closest option. "Near" indicates proximity, while "nearest" specifies the closest one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the nearest" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, indicating the closest or most immediate instance of that noun. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in specifying locations or options. According to Ludwig AI the phrase "at the nearest" is correct and can be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the nearest" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate the closest available option or location. It is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, including news, science, and general instructions. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in English writing. The phrase is considered neutral in register and provides specific guidance or information, helping readers or listeners identify the most immediate resource. Common alternatives include "closest to" and "nearest to". Understanding when to use "at the nearest" ensures clarity and precision in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

closest to

Focuses on physical proximity, removing the article 'the'.

nearest to

Similar to the original, but omits the article 'the'.

at the closest point

Highlights the precise location that is closest.

in close proximity to

More formal and emphasizes nearness in location.

at the adjacent

Emphasizes that something is right next to something else.

in the vicinity of

Indicates a surrounding area rather than a specific point.

in the immediate area

Focuses on a small surrounding region.

within reach of

Highlights the ease of accessing something due to its nearness.

readily available at

Focuses on accessibility rather than just location.

at hand

Implies something is easily accessible and available for use.

FAQs

How do I use "at the nearest" in a sentence?

Use "at the nearest" to specify the closest location or option. For example, "Pull over "at the nearest rest area"" or "You can find it "at the nearest store"".

What can I say instead of "at the nearest"?

Alternatives include "closest to", "nearest to", or "in close proximity to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "at near" instead of "at the nearest"?

No, "at near" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "at the nearest", which specifies the closest option.

What's the difference between "near" and "at the nearest"?

"Near" indicates general proximity, while "at the nearest" specifies the absolute closest location or option. Use "at the nearest" when precision is required.