close to the border

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'close to the border' is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means near or in proximity to a border. Example: The small village was located close to the border between France and Spain, making it a popular spot for tourists to experience both cultures.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How has being close to the border shaped Juárez?

The New Yorker

Wherever the house was, it was close to the border.

The New Yorker

"My family lives in the mountains close to the border.

The New York Times

"I warned them against getting too close to the border.

The New York Times

"I was close to the border," he said.

The New York Times

Those living close to the border were evacuated.

The New York Times

In Girona, a city close to the border with France, a mosque was set on fire.

The Economist

(Several Scuds had struck close to the border, and occasional artillery shells landed in Turkey).

The New Yorker

The Border Patrol dislikes people coming this close to the border, but it's her property.

The Economist

One week they were performing in a small town close to the border with Austria.

The New York Times

Close to the border with Venezuela, it is well-sited for smuggling arms and supplies.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close to the border" to clearly indicate geographical proximity to a boundary, whether national, regional, or even metaphorical.

Common error

Avoid using "close to the border" when you mean "on the border". "Close to" indicates proximity, not necessarily direct contact or placement on the boundary itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to the border" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by indicating its spatial relationship to a border. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples where the phrase describes the location of cities, military operations, and other entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close to the border" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe geographical proximity to a boundary. As Ludwig confirms, it functions as an adjectival phrase, primarily found in neutral contexts such as news and media. While interchangeable with alternatives like "near the boundary", it's crucial to distinguish its meaning from phrases like "bordering on", which implies sharing a boundary. Use "close to the border" when specifying nearness, and avoid it when direct contact with the border is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

near the boundary

Focuses on the boundary line itself, rather than a general area.

adjacent to the border

Implies a direct connection and immediate proximity.

in proximity to the border

More formal way of expressing closeness.

bordering on

Suggests a shared boundary, rather than just being nearby.

in the vicinity of the border

Indicates a general area around the border, not necessarily right next to it.

a stone's throw from the border

Idiomatic expression implying a very short distance.

within sight of the border

Emphasizes visual proximity; can be seen from the border.

a short distance from the border

Quantifies the nearness in terms of distance.

on the edge of the border

Highlights being on the very limit or periphery of the border area.

in the frontier region

Describes a broader area associated with the border, often with connotations of being remote or undeveloped.

FAQs

How can I use "close to the border" in a sentence?

You can use "close to the border" to describe a location, situation, or event that is geographically near a border, such as "The town is "close to the border" with Mexico" or "Tensions are high in the region "close to the border"".

What are some alternatives to saying "close to the border"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "near the boundary", "adjacent to the border", or "in proximity to the border".

Is there a difference between "close to the border" and "bordering on"?

"Close to the border" implies proximity, while "bordering on" suggests that something shares a boundary with the border itself. They are not always interchangeable.

When is it appropriate to use "close to the border" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to specify that something is located near, but not necessarily directly on, a border. For instance, "The military base is located "close to the border" for rapid response times".