near by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "near by" is not correct in written English; it should be "nearby" as a single word.
You can use "nearby" to describe something that is close in distance or proximity. Example: "The nearest gas station is located nearby, just a few blocks away."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

His Segway was found near by.

Independent

They must live near by, Cecilia thought.

The New Yorker

Are there supermarkets near by?

The Guardian

Harry Payne Whitney's Vanity near by.

The New Yorker

We were in a village near by.

The Guardian

"The End Is … Near?," by Caleb Hildenbrandt.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

She was then taken to a near-by hospital, where she was evaluated by medical staff.

Independent

She was fascinated by a lively girl, with bright yellow hair, who lived near-by,….

The New Yorker

Lying near-by was a double-barrel 12-gauge shotgun with one barrel fired.

The New York Times

The players are the cynosure of many eyes, in near-by structures and on the street.

Forbes

They sometimes have a difficult time connecting a distant cause to a near-by effect.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "nearby" as a single word instead of the two-word phrase "near by". This corrects a common grammatical error and ensures clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid splitting "nearby" into two words. The correct form is a single adverb, "nearby", indicating proximity. Using "near by" is a common mistake that detracts from your writing's credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "near by" functions as an adverbial modifier, attempting to indicate proximity or closeness. However, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase is used, but it should be corrected to "nearby".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Wiki

29%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Unknown/unmatched sources

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "near by" appears frequently in various sources, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates that the correct form is the single word "nearby". It functions as an adverbial modifier to indicate proximity. While its intended meaning is often understood, using the correct form, "nearby", improves clarity and credibility, especially in formal writing. Remember to always use "nearby" to avoid grammatical errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearby

Single-word alternative, grammatically correct and widely accepted.

close by

Synonymous phrase indicating close proximity.

in close proximity

More formal way of expressing nearness.

in the vicinity

Indicates general closeness or surrounding area.

at hand

Suggests readily available or easily accessible.

within reach

Implies physical or metaphorical closeness.

in the neighborhood

Refers to the surrounding area or community.

adjacent

Indicates immediately next to or adjoining.

in attendance

Implies physical presence in proximity.

in place

Refers to a state of being close or on site.

FAQs

Is "near by" grammatically correct?

No, "near by" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in modern English. The correct form is the single word "nearby".

What's the difference between "near by" and "nearby"?

"Near by" is a misspelling or incorrect separation of the adverb "nearby", which means close in proximity. Always use "nearby".

When should I use "nearby"?

Use "nearby" when you want to indicate that something is close in distance or proximity to something else. For example, "The park is nearby the school."

What are some alternatives to using "nearby" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "close by", "in the vicinity", or "in close proximity" depending on the context.