near one another

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "near one another" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the proximity of two or more objects or individuals in relation to each other. Example: "The two houses are located near one another, making it easy for the families to visit each other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They stood near one another on the measured ground, brandishing their spears, and each furious against the other.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Holcombes lived in homes near one another on family land in the woods around Sutherland Springs.

The New York Times

So do companies situated near one another, working on similar problems.

Harvard Business Review

Their families lived near one another both on the Upper East Side and in the Hamptons.

The New York Times

This recursively walks through the tree, identifying internal nodes that give rise to genes or other nodes that are physically near one another (<50 kb) on the chromosome.

BMC Plant Biology

The name-brand and private-label products often appear on the same shelf, or very near one another.

The New York Times

They have houses near one another in Connecticut, but they're busy: He's working on a Buñuel adaptation.

The New Yorker

The dancers were always near one another.

The New York Times - Arts

Rooms in the same category should be near one another.

The New York Times

Several lived near one another in transient neighborhoods.

The New York Times

Subcritical segments placed near one another were observed to interact to generate electromigration damage and failure.

Acta Materialia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing spatial relationships, consider the context and choose the phrase that best reflects the degree of proximity you want to convey. "Near one another" is suitable for general closeness.

Common error

While perfectly acceptable, overuse of "near one another" can make formal writing sound repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms like "adjacent", "proximate", or "in close proximity" to enhance readability and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "near one another" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase indicating the spatial relationship between two or more entities. It modifies a verb by specifying where the action occurs in relation to other objects or individuals, as demonstrated in examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "near one another" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate proximity or closeness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is perfectly acceptable in English writing. While versatile, remember to consider the specific context and formality level when choosing synonyms to avoid repetition or enhance clarity. While it's very common in "News & Media", "Science" and "Academia", you can spice up your writing and try other alternatives like "close to each other" or "in close proximity".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close to each other

Replaces "near" with "close" and simplifies the structure.

in close proximity

Uses more formal language to indicate nearness.

adjacent to each other

Emphasizes direct adjacency or contiguity.

in the vicinity of each other

Indicates a general area of closeness.

in each other's neighborhood

Suggests a shared local area or community.

within spitting distance

Informal expression indicating very close proximity.

a stone's throw away

Similar to "within spitting distance" but slightly less informal.

side by side

Implies being directly next to each other, often sharing a boundary.

in alignment

Suggests positioning in a straight line and not necessarily immediately close.

shoulder to shoulder

Implies close proximity and working together.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "near one another"?

You can use alternatives such as "close to each other", "in close proximity", or "adjacent to each other" depending on the desired level of formality and precision.

Is it grammatically correct to say "near to one another"?

While "near one another" is more common and generally preferred, "near to one another" isn't grammatically incorrect, but it can sound slightly more awkward or less contemporary. Sticking with "near one another" is usually the better choice.

How does the meaning of "near one another" differ from "next to each other"?

"Near one another" indicates a general closeness or proximity, while "next to each other" suggests a more direct adjacency, implying they are immediately beside each other without anything in between.

Can "near one another" be used for abstract concepts, or only physical locations?

While often used for physical locations, "near one another" can also describe abstract concepts or ideas that are closely related or similar. For instance, "the two theories developed near one another in terms of their timelines and intellectual context".