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Near

Near means ‘within a short distance in space or time’.

  • The station is quite near; it is only two minutes’ walk.
  • The summer holidays are drawing near.
  • He lives near by.
Near as a preposition

Near can be used with or without to. To is not normally used when we are talking about physical closeness.

  • Don’t go near the edge of the cliff, you may fall over it. (NOT Don’t go near to the edge …)

    • When we are not talking about physical closeness, near to is often preferred.

    • I came very near to hitting him. (NOT I came very near hitting him.)

    Nearer and nearest are generally used with to, though to can be dropped in an informal style.

    • Come and sit nearer to me.
    • Who is the girl sitting nearest to the door?

     

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