near to

USAGE SUMMARY

"near to" is a commonly used phrase in written English.
It typically means "close to" or "next to," and is often used to describe the physical proximity of two objects. For example: "The library is located near to the train station."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were near to destitution.

The Guardian - Books

Too near to see it.

The New Yorker

Last night's final was near to farcical.

The Guardian - Sport

Neither comes near to the truth.

The Guardian - Arts

"To get near to achieving their dreams".

The Guardian

"And yet it's so near to me.

The Guardian - Music

"We're so near to getting it right".

The New York Times

I was near to tears myself.

The Guardian - Books

Rubbish, we're near to London, well almost near to London, so I claim the "Warwick" precedent.

The Guardian

I would put them near to nature, if possible.

The New York Times

Near to heart is John Updike; farther away, Andre Malraux.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "near to" when you want to emphasize a slightly more formal tone than simply using "close to". While both are acceptable, "near to" can add a touch of sophistication in certain contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "near to" in very casual conversation or informal writing. In these cases, "close to" or "nearby" is often more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "near to" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying nouns or pronouns to indicate proximity or closeness. Ludwig Examples show its role in specifying location, state, or degree. Ludwig AI indicates that it indicates physical proximity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

38%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the prepositional phrase "near to" functions to denote proximity and closeness, with Ludwig providing ample examples of its usage across diverse contexts. Although interchangeable with "close to", "near to" offers a slightly more formal tone. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and prevalent in both writing and speech. Its frequency is high, especially in news, scientific, and wiki contexts. Remember that while generally correct, "near to" should be used judiciously in informal settings, where "close to" or "nearby" might sound more natural. By considering these insights, you can confidently and effectively integrate "near to" into your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close to

More concise and commonly used alternative, directly indicating proximity.

adjacent to

Implies immediate physical closeness, often sharing a boundary.

in proximity to

A more formal way of expressing nearness.

in close proximity to

Reinforces the idea of being physically close.

nearby

Simple and direct synonym for indicating a short distance away.

nigh to

An archaic alternative implying something is approaching or imminent.

approaching

Implies moving closer to a point, either physically or figuratively.

almost

Indicates a state that is very close to being reached or achieved.

akin to

Suggests a resemblance or similarity rather than physical nearness.

comparable to

Indicates a similarity in quality or characteristics.

FAQs

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

You can use "near to" to describe physical proximity, such as "The store is "close to" the park". It can also describe a state or condition, like "I was "almost" finished with the project".

What are some alternatives to using "near to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "close to", "adjacent to", "in proximity to", or "nearby".

Is it always correct to use "near to" instead of "close to"?

While both are often interchangeable, "close to" is generally more common and can sound more natural in everyday conversation. "Near to" may be preferred in more formal writing or when a slightly elevated tone is desired.

What is the difference between "near to" and "nearly"?

"Near to" describes physical or conceptual proximity, while "nearly" is an adverb that means 'almost' or 'very close to' a particular state or quantity. For example, "The station is near to the airport," versus "It is "almost" finished".