nearest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the closest location or point in relation to something else. Example: "The nearest gas station is just a few blocks away from here."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Next, for all anybody knows, it'll be Google, removing all of the internet except for a Google map of your nearest polling station.

The Guardian

Beach-ready and already relaxed, we headed west on a three-hour drive to Essaouira, the nearest coastal town to Marrakech, where we lunched at OceanVagabond, a laidback surfers' hangout.

The Guardian - Travel

This is important because the nearest record of a Dryas' monkey is 400km to the west, meaning, if confirmed, the discovery would significantly expand the range of a primate considered critically endangered.

The Guardian

Right now, in fact, I'm in a double-glazed room half a mile away from the nearest WH Smith's, and yet I'm pretty sure the front pages have managed to give me the first sproutings of a brain tumour.

The Guardian

Armed incursions from Darfur are frequent across the porous border, endangering humanitarian convoys on the 11-hour drive from the nearest gravel road.

The Guardian

And in the EU, Germany is by far the most important player, trading at a level more than three times its nearest rival, Italy.

The Guardian

If you want respect, you have to earn it.'" If you travel in a city during rush hour, the chances are you will have seen someone on a bicycle pull a stunt that, had it been perpetrated by a car driver, would have seen them dragged from the wheel and strung from the nearest lamp-post.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Plus Ukip, the nearest thing Britain has to an English nationalist party, the Republicans' Tea Party wing and anti-immigrant populist parties.

The Guardian

The river is bigger in volume than its six nearest rivals combined and discharges into the ocean about 20% of the total freshwater of all the rivers in the world.

The Guardian

Perhaps Ukip will slice the rightwing vote in two, leaving the nearest left-leaning candidate open to exploit the schism.

The Guardian

The senior military officials passed on the information to their superiors shortly after receiving it, but got no order to send backup to Chibok, half an hour's drive from the nearest battalion.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When directing someone, be specific with "nearest". If the location changes (e.g., "the nearest open store"), clarify the criteria for proximity.

Common error

Avoid using "nearest" when you mean "dearest", which refers to someone beloved or cherished. "Nearest" is about proximity, not affection.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "nearest" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to specify the closest or most immediately proximate entity. Ludwig examples showcase its use in phrases like "nearest polling station", "nearest coastal town", and "nearest WH Smith's". Ludwig AI confirms this is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Travel

25%

Lifestyle

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "nearest" functions primarily as an adjective, denoting the closest proximity to a given point. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse sources. Its communicative purpose revolves around spatial orientation, assisting in directions and location identification. Common contexts for "nearest" include News & Media, Travel, and Lifestyle. Alternative phrases such as "closest" or "most adjacent" offer nuanced ways to express proximity, while avoiding the common error of confusing "nearest" with the term "dearest". Key considerations include context-specific application and avoiding redundancy. Overall, "nearest" serves as a fundamental and readily understandable descriptor for spatial relationships.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

closest

Indicates the shortest distance or most immediate proximity, similar to "nearest" but slightly more emphatic.

next closest

Implies being second in proximity; useful when distinguishing from the absolute closest option.

most adjacent

Focuses on physical adjacency or sharing a boundary, less about distance.

immediate vicinity

Refers to the surrounding area or neighborhood, emphasizing location rather than direct proximity.

neighboring

Suggests a shared border or being in an adjacent area, suitable for geographical contexts.

in close proximity

A more formal way of saying "nearby", suitable for official or technical contexts.

handiest

Implies convenience and accessibility in addition to proximity.

within reach

Highlights the accessibility and attainability of something, rather than just its physical closeness.

easily accessible

Emphasizes how readily something can be reached, focusing on ease rather than pure distance.

a stone's throw away

An idiomatic expression indicating something is very close by, often used informally.

FAQs

How do you use "nearest" in a sentence?

Use "nearest" to indicate the closest location or item. For example, "Where is the nearest gas station?" or "The nearest exit is behind you."

What are some alternatives to the word "nearest"?

You can use alternatives like "closest", "next closest", or "most adjacent" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the most nearest"?

No, "the most nearest" is redundant. "Nearest" already implies the superlative degree of closeness. Use "nearest" or "the closest" instead.

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

"Near" indicates general proximity, while "nearest" indicates the shortest distance. For example, "the park is near my house" versus "the nearest hospital is 5 miles away".