near

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'near' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe physical proximity, to mean approximately the same thing as close to, or to indicate a time close to something else. Example sentence: She lives near the city center.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

That could involve irregular troops, cyber attacks and inflaming tensions with ethnic Russian minorities in nations seen as part of the country's "near abroad" by Moscow.

The Guardian

We were nowhere near organised quite like that".

The Guardian

"As the Treasurer stated, we have set aside additional money in the budget and we will have more to say in the near future," the minister assisting the prime minister for women, Michaelia Cash, said.

The Guardian

The goalkeeper gets down to gather at his near post.

The Guardian - Sport

But Tesco has slumped to a near 10 year low, down 2.35p at 275p on continuing concerns about a possible price war with J Sainsbury, 1.3p lower at 312.5p, and Morrisons, up 0.2p at 171.7p, following the proposed departure of chief executive Philip Clarke.

The Guardian - Business

Now we might be able to access them normally in the near future".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Last June, the IPCC Fifth Assessment report warned of larger "near-term increases in seasonal mean and annual mean temperatures" in the region.

The Guardian

The OECD said this will prove more difficult in places such as Europe where there is near-zero inflation.

The Guardian - Business

The downside came in the form of the near-collapse at the start of the second half when Sweden scored twice in quick succession and it was alarming to see the ease with which they got through from two set pieces.

The Guardian - Sport

The ice zombies themselves were a little bit Evil Dead (although as a fan of Bruce Campbell I don't entirely hate that) but Meera's near-paralysing grief as her brother lay dying in her arms was beautifully played by Ellie Kendrick.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Rescuers were reportedly able to save 63 crew members, many of them suffering from hypothermia after being in the near-freezing water.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing location, use "near" to indicate that something is not directly on, but in close proximity to, a specified place or object. For example, "The park is near the library."

Common error

Avoid using "near" when you mean "almost" or "approximately". "Nearly" refers to degree or extent, while "near" indicates proximity in space or time. For instance, say "It is nearly finished" instead of "It is near finished".

Linguistic Context

The word "near" functions primarily as an adjective or adverb, indicating proximity in space, time, or relationship. Ludwig highlights its versatile usage in various contexts, as shown in the numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Sport

15%

Business

10%

Less common in

Travel

6%

Tech

6%

Opinion

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "near" functions as a versatile term used to express proximity in location, time, or relationship. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. As seen in a multitude of examples from diverse sources such as The Guardian, it is commonly employed in news, sports, and business contexts. To use "near" effectively, remember to distinguish it from "nearly" and consider related phrases like "close by" or "in proximity" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close to

Very similar in meaning to "near", but can sometimes imply a stronger connection or relationship.

close by

Emphasizes physical proximity, similar to "near" but with a slightly more casual tone.

nearby

Functions as an adverb or adjective, directly indicating close location.

in proximity

A more formal way of saying "near", highlighting the state of being close.

adjacent to

Suggests a direct bordering or touching relationship.

in the vicinity of

Indicates a general area or region that is close.

approaching

Focuses on the act of coming closer, implying a temporal or spatial reduction in distance.

virtually

Expresses approximation rather than physical proximity.

almost

Conveys a sense of being just short of a certain condition or state.

practically

Implies that something is so close to being true or realized that it is effectively so.

FAQs

How can I use "near" in a sentence?

You can use "near" to indicate proximity in location, time, or relationship. For example, "The store is "close by"", "The date is "approaching"", or "He is a "close to" being a relative".

What words are similar to "near"?

Synonyms for "near" include "nearby", "close to", "in proximity", and "adjacent to". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "near to"?

Yes, it is generally correct to say "near to", although "near" alone is often preferred for brevity. Both convey the idea of proximity, but "near to" can sometimes emphasize the closeness.

What's the difference between "near" and "nearly"?

"Near" indicates proximity in space or time, while "nearly" means 'almost' or 'approximately'. For example, "The bank is "close by"" (location) versus "It is "practically" finished" (degree).