slightly nearer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly nearer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing distances or positions, indicating a small degree of proximity. Example: "The new location is slightly nearer to the city center than the previous one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Brown prefers a key slightly nearer square than the standard design.

The New Yorker

Had it been slightly nearer or slightly further away, victory would still have been theirs.

The Guardian - Sport

They went on benefits and rented a one-bedroom apartment in Parkdale, a suburb slightly nearer Toronto.

The Guardian - Music

Place the softened wrapper on your work surface and put a line of tofu slices in the middle of the wrapper, slightly nearer the edge closest to you, leaving a 1 1/2-inch margin on the sides.

The New York Times - Health

Alternatively, you could try the slightly nearer Blake Museum in Bridgwater, which displays a collection of military and other exhibits from the time of King Alfred the Great, through the English Civil War and into the 20th century.

The Guardian - Travel

Weir turned one into three points from near the halfway line with 19 minutes to go after Greig Laidlaw had missed an attempt from slightly nearer to the posts.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

At 9.16 the plane, banking slightly, neared its final destination.

The Guardian

(Can someone cast her as Eliza Doolittle, pronto?) For even the slightly near-sighted, discerning the actors' faces is like trying to find Venus without a telescope.

The New Yorker

The camera zooms in slightly near the end of the spot, as Mr. Obama begins talking about ending the war in Iraq and meeting "tough challenges" as Americans.

The New York Times

Gary Ridgway was known as the Green River Killer because he buried his victims, only slightly, near the river of that name in Washington State.

The New York Times

To fit the particle velocity profile, the spout must contract slightly near the inlet to the bed and then expand to the average spout diameter.

Chemical Engineering Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing relative positions, combine "slightly nearer" with specific measurements to enhance precision.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly nearer" when the actual difference in distance is significant. Using "much nearer" or "considerably closer" would be more accurate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly nearer" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, indicating the degree to which something is closer in proximity. It modifies a verb or adjective to specify a subtle difference in distance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

11%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slightly nearer" functions as an adverbial modifier to indicate a small difference in proximity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While uncommon, it appears most frequently in News & Media contexts. It's a useful phrase to express a subtle difference in distance, and related phrases like "a bit closer" can be used as alternatives. When using "slightly nearer", it's important to ensure the difference in distance is, indeed, slight to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bit closer

Emphasizes a small reduction in distance.

somewhat closer

Suggests a degree of proximity that is not substantial.

a little closer

Indicates a minor decrease in spatial separation.

marginally closer

Highlights the incremental nature of the distance reduction.

just a touch closer

Implies a minimal adjustment in terms of closeness.

barely closer

Conveys that the difference in distance is hardly noticeable.

a shade closer

Represents a very slight improvement in closeness.

fractionally closer

Signifies a tiny increment in proximity.

ever so closer

Stresses the delicate nature of the change in distance.

by a hair closer

Suggests the difference is almost imperceptible.

FAQs

How can I use "slightly nearer" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly nearer" to describe something that is a small distance closer than something else. For example, "The destination is slightly nearer than I thought."

What can I say instead of "slightly nearer"?

You can use alternatives like "a bit closer", "somewhat closer", or "a little closer" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "slightly nearer" or "slightly near"?

"Slightly nearer" is generally more appropriate when comparing distances. "Slightly near" can work but often requires additional context to sound natural.

What's the difference between "slightly nearer" and "much nearer"?

"Slightly nearer" implies a small difference in distance, while "much nearer" indicates a considerably larger difference.