“Close” vs. “Near”: What’s the Difference?
Jun 9, 2023
Engram
The difference between “close” and “near”
- "Close" (adjective) needs to be followed by a preposition when there is an object (e.g. The house is close to the sea.), while "near" (adverb) does not need to be followed by a preposition (e.g. The house is near the sea.).
- "Close" can be used to describe both physical distance and the strength of a bond in a relationship, while "near" is more commonly used to describe physical distance.
- "Near" can also imply that something is almost but not quite there, while "close" can imply that the thing is already present.
Communicate naturally with Engram AI proofreader
What is the definition of “close” and “near”?
Close
- "Close" refers to being physically adjacent or having a short distance between two objects.
- It also refers to having tight or intimate relationships with people or having a strong similarity between two things.
- "Close" (verb) can also mean the imminent end of a specific time period or an opportunity.
Near
- "Near" refers to being in proximity or having a short distance between two objects.
- It can also mean almost or nearly doing something or having a quality or characteristic that is almost identical to something else.
- "Near" can also denote something that is close to a certain measurement or standard.
Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?
“Close” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Close
7,990,000,000 results on the web
Examples
- I need to stand close to the speaker to hear what he's saying.
- We've been close friends for many years.
- The store closes at 9 pm on weekdays.
Near
3,130,000,000 results on the web
Examples
- The nearest gas station is just a few blocks away.
- I can hear the sound of music coming from the house near our hotel.
- We're coming near the end of our trip, and I'm already feeling sad about leaving.
Want to express yourself confidently?
Engram AI proofreader helps you
communicate naturally
communicate naturally
