Cool MateClose vs Near
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Close
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Near
Top 1,000 (very common)A1preposition
| Close | Near | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kləʊz/","/ˈkləʊzɪz/","/kləʊzd/","/ˈkləʊzɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kləʊz/","/ˈkləʊzɪz/","/kləʊzd/","/ˈkləʊzɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/nɪə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/nɪr/"]/ |
| Meaning | To shut something, like a door or a window. | close to something |
| Example | Please close the door before you leave. | The school is near my house. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | preposition |
| Collocations | firmly, tightly, gently, firmly, tightly, gently, permanently, temporarily, officially, to, permanently, temporarily, officially, to | near future, nearby location, near misses |
| Antonyms | open, start | far, distant, remote |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'close' with 'shut' – know when to use which., Using 'close' when referring to people (e.g., 'close the friend') instead of 'end' or 'finish'. | Confused with 'close' as both can mean similar things., Using 'nears' as a verb form instead of 'is near'., Omitting the object when saying 'near' without context. |
| Usage notes | Use 'close' when talking about shutting physical objects like doors or books. It can also mean to finish something, such as a meeting. Avoid using it with people in most contexts, except in very informal conversations. | Used when referring to physical or figurative closeness. Generally acceptable in both spoken and written contexts. Avoid using in overly formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Close vs Near
What's the difference between Close and Near?
Close: To shut something, like a door or a window. Near: close to something
Are Close and Near the same CEFR level?
Close: A1, Near: A1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Close and Near?
Close: verb, Near: preposition.
Can you show an example of each?
Close: Please close the door before you leave. Near: The school is near my house.
Can I use Close and Near interchangeably?
Not always. Close and Near are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.