Nearby means not far away; the context tells you what it is near.
The idea
As an adverb, nearby can follow a verb or appear after a noun: They live nearby; a pharmacy nearby. As an adjective, it can come before a noun: a nearby school.
Examples
- There is a pharmacy nearby.
- Our friends live nearby.
- We found a nearby café after the walk.
- Is there a bus stop nearby?
- She works at a nearby school.
- The station is nearby, so we can walk.
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Watch out
Use near the station when naming the reference place directly; nearby normally stands without that following noun.
Try it yourself
Choose the word for a short distance. Our friends live five minutes away. They live ___. (nearby / far away)
Show answer or example answer
nearby
Nearby can stand alone after live.
Choose the word before the named reference place. The pharmacy is ___ the station. (near / nearby)
Show answer or example answer
near
Near takes the named reference place the station.
Choose the adjective before the noun. She works at a ___ school. (nearby / nearly)
Show answer or example answer
nearby
Nearby can modify school before the noun.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Choose the word for a short distance. Our friends live five minutes away. They live ___. (nearby / far away)
Choose the word before the named reference place. The pharmacy is ___ the station. (near / nearby)
Choose the adjective before the noun. She works at a ___ school. (nearby / nearly)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Name a useful place nearby and say where a nearby friend lives.