be in proximity to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be in proximity to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the physical closeness or nearness of one object or person to another. Example: "The library is designed to be in proximity to the student dormitories for easy access."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Friends and family should be in proximity to each other, through time spent together: meals, conversations, affection, tenderness.

The New Yorker

"But we know terrorists might not be in proximity to those targets, so we have put a series of tripwires in place throughout New England".

The New York Times

Spread by mice in their urine, it is not widespread because people who contract it generally must disturb rodent nests or be in proximity to them.

The New York Times - Science

But at home in New York, and at work in Washington, Trump will be in proximity to hundreds of thousands of active Democrats.

The Washington Post

His priority was to be in proximity to several locations, including the Salvation Army's divisional headquarters on West 14th Street, the Red Cross center on far West 49th Street and the city's Office of Emergency Management in downtown Brooklyn.

The New York Times

For presidential candidates under Secret Service protection, the agency seeks to check the backgrounds and criminal records of anyone who will be in proximity to the candidate at events.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

We are in proximity to the characters.

The Guardian

Being in proximity to other artists is not the only appeal of working in New York.

The New York Times

Here, we demonstrate that UNC93B1 traffics to phagosomes and is in proximity to STIM1.

Nature

Endothelial cells lining the pulmonary microvessels are in proximity to the alveolar epithelial cells.

Nature

The panel on the right shows which CDRs are in proximity to these nonconserved sites.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be in proximity to" when you want to sound more formal or technical than "be near to" or "be close to". It's appropriate for scientific writing, legal documents, or when you need a more precise term for physical closeness.

Common error

Avoid using "be in proximity to" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "near" or "close" are often more suitable and natural in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be in proximity to" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, noun, or adjective. According to Ludwig, it indicates the state of being near or close to something else. The examples show its use in describing spatial relationships and relative positions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be in proximity to" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase primarily used to indicate the spatial relationship between entities. While considered correct by Ludwig, it's most suitable for formal or technical contexts where a precise and somewhat elevated tone is appropriate. It's frequently found in news and media and scientific publications. When writing, remember that simpler alternatives like "be near to" or "be close to" may be more fitting for everyday conversation. Be mindful not to overuse it in informal settings, as this could sound unnatural. Ultimately, choosing the right phrase depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be in the vicinity of

This alternative is very similar in meaning but uses different vocabulary.

be near to

This is a simpler and more common way to express being close to something.

be close to

Similar to "be near to", this phrase is less formal than "be in proximity to".

be adjacent to

Implies direct touching or bordering, which may not be the case with "be in proximity to".

be within reach of

Indicates that something can be accessed or obtained easily, not just physical closeness.

be in close quarters with

Implies being in a confined space with someone or something.

border on

This implies a shared boundary, a more specific case than "be in proximity to".

adjoin

This is a more formal term for bordering or being next to.

be cheek by jowl with

This idiom suggests a very close and often crowded proximity.

be a stone's throw from

This idiom means a short distance away.

FAQs

How can I use "be in proximity to" in a sentence?

You can use "be in proximity to" to describe the physical closeness of two things, such as "The research lab is designed to "be in proximity to" the hospital" or "For safety reasons, flammable materials should not "be in proximity to" open flames."

What's a simpler way to say "be in proximity to"?

Common alternatives to "be in proximity to" include "be near to", "be close to", or "be in the vicinity of". The best choice depends on the desired level of formality.

Is "be in proximity of" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "be in proximity of" is less common and idiomatic than ""be in proximity to"". The latter is the preferred phrasing.

When is it best to use "be in proximity to" over other alternatives?

Use ""be in proximity to"" when you need a more formal or technical term to describe physical closeness, especially in scientific, legal, or technical writing. In everyday conversation, simpler alternatives are usually more appropriate.