GO NEAR

National Parks

📖 Definition

To approach or get close to a person, place, or thing, often used to indicate avoiding something perceived as dangerous or undesirable.

Examples in context

📖 Definition

To approach or get close to a person, place, or thing, often used to indicate avoiding something perceived as dangerous or undesirable.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable
No
Cannot divide the verb and particle.
Register
Neutral
Used in both formal and informal contexts without any distinct formality.
Transitive
No
Does not take a direct object.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense Form Example
Present Simple go near He doesn't go near the abandoned house.
Past Simple went near She went near the edge despite the warnings.
Present Continuous going near They are not going near the restricted area.
Present Perfect have gone near We have never gone near that place after dark.

💡 When to Use

Approaching danger
Use when discussing the act of nearing something that might be harmful or risky.
Example: "Don't go near that wild animal."
Avoiding unwanted situations
For contexts where someone should avoid a potentially bad or undesirable situation.
Example: "She won't go near her difficult supervisor."
Proximity warning
Use to advise against coming close to dangerous places or situations.
Example: "They were told not to go near the construction site."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect particle usage
❌ Wrong: Go to near the fire!
✅ Correct: Go near the fire!
💡 Tip: Remember, there's no 'to' after 'go' in 'go near'.
Verb tense error
❌ Wrong: They is going near.
✅ Correct: They are going near.
💡 Tip: Ensure subject-verb agreement matches in tense.
Object inclusion
❌ Wrong: She went near it the school.
✅ Correct: She went near the school.
💡 Tip: Avoid unnecessary object pronouns.
Practice

GO NEAR - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

  1. Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
  2. Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
  3. Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

approach come close

Antonyms

stay away

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"Children must not ___ the electrical outlet."

entered
go near
approached
visited

"Do not go near trouble unless you are prepared to face the consequences and learn from every risky path you take."

In Context

In 1665, the Great Plague struck London, causing devastation across the city. Amid the fear, Reverend William Mompesson faced a critical choice in the English village of Eyam. When the plague arrived via a parcel of cloth sent from London, Mompesson and the villagers were urged not to go near contaminated areas. However, the Reverend proposed a self-imposed quarantine to prevent the deadly disease from spreading to nearby communities. Reluctantly, the villagers agreed. During the isolation, villagers avoided their neighbors, choosing not to go near anyone showing symptoms, a sacrifice made to save others. The plague ravaged Eyam, claiming many lives, but the courageous act of not allowing the disease to go near others spared countless surrounding towns. By November 1666, the outbreak ceased, and Mompesson's brave initiative gained recognition, exemplifying how avoiding danger when possible could result in heroic outcomes. The village of Eyam later became known as 'the plague village,' a testament to the actions of its brave inhabitants who dared not go near a threat for the greater good.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Go Near

What is the origin of go near?

+
The phrase 'go near' derives from the Old English 'nearu', meaning close. It emphasizes avoidance or proximity to danger since Middle English usage.

Can go near be used in formal and informal contexts?

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Yes, 'go near' can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is versatile, applied in everyday conversation and formal discourse alike.

What is the difference between go near and approach?

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'Go near' often implies caution or avoidance, whereas 'approach' denotes intentional movement towards something, regardless of danger or risk involved.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Explore more phrasal verbs in our dictionary:

stay awaykeep awayback offget closecome close
Browse All National Parks Phrasal Verbs
National Parks Phrasal Verbs - WeeklyCross
Alessandra Nóbrega
About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey



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