be near

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be near" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate physical proximity or emotional closeness to someone or something. Example: "I want to be near my family during the holidays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Bosses also like to be near investors.

The Economist

I couldn't be near men.

The Guardian

To be near water is usually to be near the sea.

The Economist

The end must be near, right?

TechCrunch

Death may be near, but quirkiness abides.

Los Angeles Times

This girl yearned to be outside, to be near nature.

Huffington Post

Horrible thing to be near.

Independent

They wanted to be near their business.

The New York Times

We want to be near our kids.

The New York Times

Three greens will be near the beach.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Fordow, meanwhile, would be near-impregnable.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "be near", ensure that the context clearly specifies what is being approached, either physically or emotionally. For instance, "be near the hospital" or "be near your loved ones".

Common error

Avoid using "be near" without specifying the object or person being approached. Ambiguous usage like "I want to be near" can leave the reader wondering about the intended target. Always provide clear context to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be near" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating a state of proximity or closeness. Ludwig AI's examples illustrate its use in expressing both physical and emotional nearness, such as "be near the beach" or "be near loved ones".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

16%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be near" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase, primarily functioning to express proximity or closeness, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Its usage spans various contexts, from physical locations to emotional connections. While versatile, ensuring clarity by specifying what is being approached is crucial. Alternatives like "be close to" and "stay close to" offer nuanced variations in meaning. With a neutral register and frequent appearance in news and media, "be near" remains a reliable and widely understood expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be close to

Indicates physical or emotional proximity; slightly more specific in implying a relationship.

be in proximity to

More formal way of expressing nearness, often used in technical contexts.

be within reach of

Implies nearness in terms of accessibility or potential.

stay close

More specific in asking to maintain the proximity between two entities.

be in the vicinity of

Refers to the general area or surroundings; less precise.

approach

Focuses on the action of coming closer, rather than the state of being near.

draw near

Similar to 'approach' but often used in a more figurative or literary sense.

come close to

Indicates a narrow margin or near miss, implying potential.

be around

A more general term for being in the same area or environment.

be just down the road

Indicates physical proximity to something else.

FAQs

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

The phrase "be near" can be used to indicate physical proximity, as in "I want to "be near" the ocean", or emotional closeness, like "I need to "be near" my family right now".

What can I say instead of "be near"?

You can use alternatives like "be close to", "be in proximity to", or "stay close to" depending on the context.

Is it more correct to say "be near to" or just "be near"?

While "be near to" is grammatically acceptable, ""be near"" is generally preferred as it's more concise and commonly used. For instance, "I want to "be near" the park" is more natural than "I want to "be near to" the park".

What's the difference between "be near" and "approach"?

"Be near" indicates a state of proximity, while "approach" implies the action of moving closer. You can "approach" someone to "be near" them.