nearby

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "nearby" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is close to you, or something in your vicinity. For example: "I heard a loud crash nearby and ran to investigate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Much of Lubitz's social life appears to have taken place in the nearby city of Koblenz.

The Guardian

Nearby, the men had amassed a pile of ash-grey debris, from which a single pink high heel protruded.

The Guardian

He has since been identified as a 22-year-old called Daniele - investigators have not released his surname - who, until recently, worked in a nearby factory.

The Guardian

Nearby juxtaposition of the line "In God we trust", though, is the source of many American conundrums.

The Guardian

The Walls of Jerusalem national park is to the north, while mount Ossa, Tasmania's highest point, is nearby.

The Guardian - Travel

There's a reason they're so popular, they're generally quite safe, and there's usually a good pub or two nearby.

The Guardian

Nearby, a colleague who had carried out four burials that day, was less sanguine.

The Guardian

"Not even with the pope would there have been all this fuss," exclaimed Diana Cucereavii, a waitress in a cafe nearby.

The Guardian - Film

There are mules and camels to ride and mountain bikes to rent, but I couldn't resist trying the nine-hole "cross country" golf course, which runs along a nearby rocky riverbed and is more akin to crazy golf.

The Guardian - Travel

"Even at 18, a mentally voracious young woman cannot live entirely upon scenery," she wrote, adding that she would have been in danger of "dying of spontaneous combustion" had she not had her diary to write and an interesting curate in a nearby village.

The Guardian - Film

This is estate-agent speak for "visible signs of poverty nearby" – and it is accompanied by the tacit assumption that in a few years' time the area will be completely gentrified.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearby" to clearly indicate that something is close in proximity, avoiding ambiguity about the distance. For instance, "There's a park nearby" effectively communicates its closeness.

Common error

Avoid using "nearby" with redundant adverbs like "very" or "close", as "nearby" already implies closeness. For example, instead of saying "very nearby", simply use "nearby".

Linguistic Context

The word "nearby" functions primarily as an adjective or an adverb, modifying nouns or verbs to indicate proximity. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showing that it's used to describe the location of objects, places, or events in relation to a reference point. Example: "a nearby store".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Travel

15%

Lifestyle

5%

Less common in

Film

5%

Business

3%

Opinion

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "nearby" functions as both an adjective and an adverb to denote proximity, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's a versatile term that is used in news, travel writing, and everyday conversation. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to avoid redundancy by not pairing it with other words that indicate closeness. Using alternatives like "adjacent" or "in close proximity" can add variety to your writing. With 60 examples analyzed, "nearby" exhibits very common usage, demonstrating its importance in expressing spatial relationships effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in close proximity

Uses a more formal and descriptive phrase to convey closeness.

a short distance away

States directly that the location is not far.

a stone's throw away

An idiomatic expression indicating a very short distance.

in the vicinity

A more formal way of indicating the surrounding area.

just around the corner

Emphasizes a very short distance or immediate vicinity.

in the neighborhood

Refers to the general area or vicinity.

within reach

Highlights the accessibility and ease of getting to the location.

close at hand

Implies convenience and easy access.

within spitting distance

An informal idiom for being very close.

easily accessible

Focuses on the ease of reaching a particular location.

FAQs

How to use "nearby" in a sentence?

You can use "nearby" to describe locations or things that are close to a specific point. For example: "I stopped at a "nearby store" for some groceries" or "My friends live "nearby where" I can visit them".

What can I say instead of "nearby"?

Alternatives to "nearby" include "adjacent", "close to", or "in close proximity". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Which is correct, "nearby to" or "nearby"?

The correct form is "nearby". The preposition "to" is not needed. For example, "There's a park nearby" is correct, while "There's a park nearby to" is incorrect.

What's the difference between "nearby" and "neighboring"?

"Nearby" generally indicates a short distance from a specific point, while "neighboring" usually refers to something that shares a border or is adjacent. For instance, "a nearby store" suggests a store within a short walking distance, while "a neighboring town" suggests a town that shares a border with another.