nearer vs. closer

[chiroho.livejournal.com]

perdiccas asked when do you use "nearer" versus "closer"?

Distinguishing between nearer and closer is very difficult because, based on the initial definition of the words, they are essentially interchangeable.  In addition, each word is listed as a synonym of the other. An example of this similarity is in the fact that both of the following sentences are equally valid:

Ziva pushed the chair closer to the window.
Ziva pushed the chair nearer to the window.

However, if we look closer at the definitions, there are some significant differences in the words and when they might be used.  We can see this in the definitions provided by our friends at Merriam-Webster.  Near is defined as being specific to physical proximity (near being the opposite of far) or to intimacy (near relative). However, close provides a whole realm of different definitions including: secrecy (playing it close to the chest), confinement (closely guarded), restriction (closely watched), how uncomfortably stuffy a room is (close atmosphere), short or near to the surface (close shave), intimacy (close friends),  precision and attentiveness (close reading), and a decision by a narrow margin (close win).  So while the sentence above demonstrates that the words can be used interchangeably at times, there are many more occasions in which closer should be used.

After being head slapped by Gibbs for the second time in an hour, Tony ensured that he gave the old file a much closer reading.

Ziva wasn't sure when or how it had happened, but she suddenly realised that she was much closer with Tony than with any partner she'd ever worked with previously.

Despite the end result, Tony was concerned that the Buckeye victory over Michigan was much closer than he'd have liked.

All of these sentences provide examples of where closer can be used, but where nearer cannot, and demonstrate something more metaphoric than physical or temporal proximity.

So where does that leave you in making a decision on which word to use?  In situations whether either word is an option, closer is probably the appropriate choice, but there is nothing specific guiding that choice, and in many ways it will be up to you as the writer to determine what sounds best in a given situation.  For any other usage, such as in the examples above, closer will be the only choice.

Comments

[chiroho.livejournal.com]

Thank you. And your sentence does use both words correctly, and demonstrates the distinction in meanings. Now why couldn't I come up with that when writing my examples!