Cool MateNearly vs Very close now
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Nearly
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
Very close now
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Nearly
| Nearly | Very close now | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈnɪəli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈnɪrli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈvɛri kloʊs naʊ//🇺🇸 //ˈvɛri kloʊs naʊ// |
| Meaning | almost or very close to something | Really near to something or someone. |
| Example | She runs nearly every day to stay fit. | We are very close now to finishing the project. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | nearly correct, nearly finished, nearly perfect, nearly half, nearly impossible | very close to completion, very close to success, very close in time |
| Antonyms | completely, not at all | - |
| Common mistakes | 'Nearly' used incorrectly with negative forms (e.g. 'not nearly enough')., Confusing 'nearly' with 'hardly' (the latter implies less than expected)., Using 'nearly' with uncountable nouns when it's not appropriate. | Confusing the phrase with 'very near' which is less common in speech., Using it in overly formal writing., Not using appropriate tone for urgency. |
| Usage notes | Use 'nearly' to indicate something is close to happening or to a specific amount, suitable in both spoken and written contexts. Avoid using it in formal academic writing where more precise language is preferred. | Use when indicating proximity or time. It’s suitable for casual conversations but can also work in slightly more serious contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Nearly vs Very close now
What's the difference between Nearly and Very close now?
Nearly: almost or very close to something Very close now: Really near to something or someone.
Which is more common: Nearly and Very close now?
Nearly is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Nearly: She runs nearly every day to stay fit. Very close now: We are very close now to finishing the project.
Can I use Nearly and Very close now interchangeably?
Not always. Nearly and Very close now 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.