proximity to

USAGE SUMMARY

"proximity to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a physical or spatial nearness or closeness of two or more things or people. For example, "The new office building has the added advantage of proximity to the city center."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Your proximity to the stars!

Independent

"I have somewhat more proximity to it".

Independent

The building also has proximity to transportation.

The New York Times

Light, and its proximity to matter.

The New Yorker

Proximity to friends matters.

The Washington Post

And then there is proximity to power.

The New York Times

Sustained proximity to violence has reshaped him.

The New York Times

The first was proximity to the United States.

The Economist

Their proximity to other critical genes?

The New Yorker

We are in proximity to the characters.

The Guardian

Brady laughs off her proximity to Osborne.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "proximity to" to highlight the advantage or disadvantage of being near something. For instance, "The store's proximity to the subway station increases foot traffic."

Common error

While "proximity to" is correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "near" or "close to" when writing informally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proximity to" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying nouns or verbs to indicate a spatial relationship or closeness. Ludwig AI confirms that "proximity to" is correct and usable. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use in describing the relationship between two locations, objects, or concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "proximity to" is a correct and widely used prepositional phrase that indicates nearness or closeness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usefulness. As demonstrated by the examples, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources, indicating a neutral to formal register. While grammatically sound, simpler alternatives like "near to" or "close to" may be preferable in informal contexts. Remember to use "proximity to" when highlighting the impact of spatial relationships, and avoid overusing it in casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearness to

Replaces "proximity" with a more common synonym, slightly altering the formality.

closeness to

Similar to "nearness", but emphasizes a sense of physical or emotional connection.

in close range of

Emphasizes being within a specific, limited distance.

adjacent to

Indicates that two things are directly next to each other.

in the vicinity of

Indicates being in the general area or surroundings of something.

within reach of

Implies that something is easily accessible or attainable due to its nearness.

in close quarters with

Highlights being in a confined space with something or someone.

bordering on

Indicates that something is located at the edge or boundary of something else.

a stone's throw from

An idiomatic expression indicating a very short distance.

within spitting distance of

An informal idiomatic expression indicating very close proximity.

FAQs

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

Use "proximity to" to describe how close something is to something else, for example: "The value of the land is influenced by its "proximity to" the ocean."

What are some alternatives to "proximity to"?

You can use alternatives such as "closeness to", "nearness to", or "adjacency to" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "proximity to" or "close to"?

"Proximity to" is more formal. In many cases, "close to" is perfectly acceptable and sounds more natural, especially in informal contexts.

What does "proximity to" mean?

"Proximity to" means the state of being near in space or time. It emphasizes the condition of being close rather than just the fact of being near.