Approach vs. Near — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 16, 2024
"Approach" implies movement towards something and often involves a method or plan, while "near" indicates proximity without implying movement.
Difference Between Approach and Near
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Approach" is primarily used as a verb to describe the act of coming closer to something, often systematically or strategically, as in moving towards a goal or target. Whereas "near" is usually an adjective or adverb describing something that is close by in distance.
When discussing plans or strategies, "approach" refers to a way of dealing with a situation or problem. On the other hand, "near" is used to describe spatial relationships, indicating that one object is close to another.
In the context of time, "approach" can be used to describe an event that is coming closer, such as "the approach of winter." Meanwhile, "near" can be used in a temporal sense to indicate that a point in time is close, such as "near the end of the year."
The phrase "to approach someone" involves initiating contact or communication, suggesting a deliberate action. In contrast, being "near someone" simply describes physical closeness without any implication of interaction.
Regarding emotional or abstract concepts, "approach" can mean to begin to deal with or think about something, like approaching a complex issue. "Near," however, does not typically relate to abstract concepts unless linked to expressions like "near to my heart," which denotes emotional closeness.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Mainly a verb, sometimes a noun
Adjective, adverb, preposition
Implication
Movement, method, initiation
Proximity, closeness
Usage in Context
Strategic movement, dealing with situations
Spatial or temporal closeness
Emotional/Abstract Connection
Dealing with concepts or issues
Emotional closeness (metaphorically)
Example Usage
"They approached the city." / "An approach to learning."
"They live near the park." / "Near the beginning."
Compare with Definitions
Approach
To come near or nearer to something or someone in distance, time, quality, or amount.
They approached the old house cautiously.
Near
Almost achieving or experiencing something.
They were near victory when time ran out.
Approach
The nearness or closeness in distance.
With the approach of night, the temperature dropped.
Near
Close to in quality or amount.
His performance was nowhere near his best.
Approach
The beginning or a way leading to something.
The approach to the bridge was icy and dangerous.
Near
At or to a short distance away from (a place).
The parking lot is near the entrance.
Approach
A way of dealing with something or someone.
His approach to the problem was highly effective.
Near
Close to something in time.
As the deadline drew near, he became increasingly anxious.
Approach
To speak to someone about something, especially to ask them for something.
She was nervous to approach her boss for a raise.
Near
Close to doing or completing something.
They are near finishing the project.
Approach
To come near or nearer, as in space or time
Spring approaches.
Near
To, at, or within a short distance or interval in space or time
Moved the table nearer to the wall.
As graduation draws near.
Approach
(Sports) To make an approach, as in golf.
Near
Just about; almost; nearly
Was near exhausted from the climb.
Approach
To come or go near or nearer to
Approached the tunnel.
Near
With or in a close relationship
It turns out we are near related.
Approach
To come close to, as in appearance, quality, or condition; approximate
The performance approaches perfection.
Near
Close in time, space, position, or degree
Near neighbors.
Near equals.
Approach
To make a proposal or overtures to with a specific end in view
Approached the administration for a raise.
Near
Closely related by kinship or association; intimate
A near relative.
A near and dear friend.
Approach
To begin to deal with or work on
Approached the task with dread.
Approached the issue from a historical perspective.
Near
Nearly occurring but not actually happening
A near victory.
A near disaster.
Approach
The act of approaching
The approach of night.
Near
Just barely avoided
A near hit by the incendiary bomb.
Approach
A fairly close resemblance; an approximation.
Near
Closely corresponding to or resembling an original
A near likeness.
Approach
A way or means of reaching something; an access
An approach to the bridge.
Near
Closely resembling the genuine article
A dress of near satin.
Near silver beads.
Approach
The method used in dealing with or accomplishing
A logical approach to the problem.
Near
Closer of two or more
Take the near street and then turn right.
Approach
An advance or overture made by one person to another.
Near
Being on the left side of an animal or vehicle.
Approach
The golf stroke following the drive from the tee with which a player tries to get the ball onto the putting green.
Near
Being the animal or vehicle on the left.
Approach
The steps taken prior to executing a competitive maneuver, as by a diver before diving forward from a springboard or by a bowler before delivering the ball.
Near
Short and direct
The nearest route to town.
Approach
The part of the area behind the foul line in a bowling alley used by a bowler in delivering the ball.
Near
(Archaic) Stingy; parsimonious.
Approach
(intransitive) To come or go near, in place or time; to move toward; to advance nearer; to draw nigh.
Near
Close to
An inn near London.
Approach
To play an approach shot.
Near
To come close or closer to
The plane neared the terminal.
Approach
Used intransitively, followed by to: to draw near (to someone or something); to make advances; to approximate or become almost equal.
He approaches to the character of the ablest statesman.
Near
To draw near or nearer; approach
As the holiday nears.
Approach
Of an immovable object or a number of such objects: to be positioned as to (notionally) appear to be moving towards (a place).
As we drove along the driveway, the trees approaching the house seemed more eerie.
Near
Physically close.
I can't see near objects very clearly without my glasses.
Stay near at all times.
Approach
To move toward (someone or something) in place, time, character, or value; to draw nearer to.
“Would counsel please approach the bench?” asked the judge.
He approached the age of manhood.
Near
Close in time.
The end is near.
Approach
(transitive) To bring (something) near something else; to cause (something) to draw near.
Near
Closely connected or related.
The deceased man had no near relatives.
Approach
(transitive) To attempt to make (a policy) or solve (a problem).
Near
Close to one's interests, affection, etc.; intimate; dear.
A matter of near consequence to me.
A near friend
Approach
(transitive) To bring up or propose to (someone) an idea, question, request, etc.
Near
Close to anything followed or imitated; not free, loose, or rambling.
A version near to the original
Approach
To take approaches to (a place); to move towards (a place) by using covered roads, trenches, or other works.
Near
So as barely to avoid or pass injury or loss; close; narrow.
A near escape
Approach
An act of drawing near in place or time; an advancing or coming near.
Near
Approximate, almost.
The two words are near synonyms.
Approach
An act of coming near in character or value; an approximation.
Near
On the side nearest to the kerb (the left-hand side if one drives on the left).
The near front wheel came loose.
Approach
An avenue, passage, or way by which a building or place can be approached; an access.
Near
(dated) Next to the driver, when he is on foot; (US) on the left of an animal or a team.
The near ox; the near leg
Approach
(climbing) A path taken to reach the climbing area, for example, from a car park, road, etc.
Near
(obsolete) Immediate; direct; close; short.
Approach
(figuratively) A manner of making (a policy) or solving (a problem, etc.).
Near
Stingy; parsimonious.
Don't be near with your pocketbook.
Approach
(archaic) An opportunity of drawing near; access.
Near
Within the currently selected segment in a segmented memory architecture.
A near pointer
Approach
The way an aircraft comes in to land at an airport.
Near
At or towards a position close in space or time. en
Approach
A specific procedure used for approaching and landing at an airport.
We flew the RNAV/GPS A approach to runway 16.
Near
Nearly; almost.
He was near unconscious when I found him.
I jumped into the near-freezing water.
I near ruptured myself trying to move the piano.
Approach
(bowling) The area before the lane in which a bowler may stand or run up before bowling the ball.
Near
Physically close to, in close proximity to.
There are habitable planets orbiting many of the stars near our Sun.
Approach
To come or go near, in place or time; to draw nigh; to advance nearer.
Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city?
But exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Near
Close to in time.
The voyage was near completion.
Approach
To draw near, in a figurative sense; to make advances; to approximate; as, he approaches to the character of the ablest statesman.
Near
Close to in nature or degree.
His opinions are near the limit of what is acceptable.
Approach
To bring near; to cause to draw near; to advance.
Near
(ambitransitive) To come closer to; to approach.
The ship nears the land.
Approach
To come near to in place, time, or character; to draw nearer to; as, to approach the city; to approach my cabin; he approached the age of manhood.
He was an admirable poet, and thought even to have approached Homer.
Near
The left side of a horse or of a team of horses pulling a carriage etc.
Off side
Approach
To take approaches to.
Near
At a little distance, in place, time, manner, or degree; not remote; nigh.
My wife! my traitress! let her not come near me.
Approach
The act of drawing near; a coming or advancing near.
A nearer approach to the human type.
Near
Nearly; almost; well-nigh.
Near about the yearly value of the land.
Approach
A access, or opportunity of drawing near.
The approach to kings and principal persons.
Near
Closely; intimately.
Approach
Movements to gain favor; advances.
Near
Not far distant in time, place, or degree; not remote; close at hand; adjacent; neighboring; nigh.
He served great Hector, and was ever near,Not with his trumpet only, but his spear.
Approach
A way, passage, or avenue by which a place or buildings can be approached; an access.
Near
Closely connected or related.
She is thy father's near kinswoman.
Approach
The advanced works, trenches, or covered roads made by besiegers in their advances toward a fortress or military post.
Near
Close to one's interests, affection, etc.; touching, or affecting intimately; intimate; dear; as, a near friend.
Approach
See Approaching.
Near
Close to anything followed or imitated; not free, loose, or rambling; as, a version near to the original.
Approach
A stroke whose object is to land the ball on the putting green. It is made with an iron club.
Near
So as barely to avoid or pass injury or loss; close; narrow{3}; as, a near escape; a near miss.
Approach
That part of a flight during which an airplane descends toward the landing strip.
Near
Immediate; direct; close; short.
Approach
The steps taken by a bowler just before delivering the ball toward the pins.
Near
Close-fisted; parsimonious.
Approach
Ideas or actions intended to deal with a problem or situation;
His approach to every problem is to draw up a list of pros and cons
An attack on inflation
His plan of attack was misguided
Near
To approach; to come nearer; as, the ship neared the land.
Approach
The act of drawing spatially closer to something;
The hunter's approach scattered the geese
Near
To draw near; to approach.
A speck, a mist, a shape, I wist!And still it neared, and neared.
Approach
A way of entering or leaving;
He took a wrong turn on the access to the bridge
Near
Move towards;
We were approaching our destination
They are drawing near
The enemy army came nearer and nearer
Approach
The final path followed by an aircraft as it is landing
Near
Not far distant in time or space or degree or circumstances;
Near neighbors
In the near future
They are near equals
His nearest approach to success
A very near thing
A near hit by the bomb
She was near tears
She was close to tears
Had a close call
Approach
The event of one object coming closer to another
Near
Being on the left side;
The near or nigh horse is the one on the left
The animal's left side is its near or nigh side
Approach
A tentative suggestion designed to elicit the reactions of others;
She rejected his advances
Near
Closely resembling the genuine article;
Near beer
A dress of near satin
Approach
The temporal property of becoming nearer in time;
The approach of winter
Near
Giving or spending with reluctance;
Our cheeseparing administration
Very close (or near) with his money
A penny-pinching miserly old man
Approach
A close approximation;
The nearest approach to genius
Near
With or in a close or intimate relationship;
A good friend
My sisters and brothers are near and dear
Approach
A relatively short golf shot intended to put the ball onto the putting green;
He lost the hole when his approach rolled over the green
Near
Very close in resemblance;
Sketched in an approximate likeness
A near likeness
Approach
Move towards;
We were approaching our destination
They are drawing near
The enemy army came nearer and nearer
Near
Near in time or place or relationship;
As the wedding day drew near
Stood near the door
Don't shoot until they come near
Getting near to the true explanation
Her mother is always near
The end draws nigh
The bullet didn't come close
Don't get too close to the fire
Approach
Come near or verge on, resemble, come nearer in quality, or character;
This borders on discrimination!
His playing approaches that of Horowitz
Near
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; `near' is sometimes used informally for `nearly' and `most' is sometimes used informally for `almost';
The job is (just) about done
The baby was almost asleep when the alarm sounded
We're almost finished
The car all but ran her down
He nearly fainted
Talked for nigh onto 2 hours
The recording is well-nigh perfect
Virtually all the parties signed the contract
I was near exhausted by the run
Most everyone agrees
Approach
Begin to deal with;
Approach a task
Go about a difficult problem
Approach a new project
Approach
Come near in time;
Winter is approaching
Approaching old age
Approach
Make advances to someone, usually with a proposal or suggestion;
I was approached by the President to serve as his adviser in foreign matters
Common Curiosities
Can "approach" be used as a noun?
Yes, as a noun, "approach" refers to a way of dealing with a situation or the act of coming near.
Is "near" ever used as a verb?
"Near" is typically not used as a verb in contemporary English; it is mostly an adjective or adverb.
How do "approach" and "near" differ in emotional contexts?
"Approach" can describe engaging with emotional or complex issues, while "near" may express emotional closeness only in metaphorical uses.
Can both "approach" and "near" be used in the context of time?
Yes, "approach" refers to an event coming closer in time, and "near" is used to indicate that a point in time is close.
Can "approach" imply a psychological or emotional preparation?
Yes, "approach" can imply a psychological readiness or manner of handling situations, indicating not just physical movement but also a preparedness or attitude towards a situation or problem.
How does the connotation of "approach" differ from "near" in professional settings?
In professional settings, "approach" often relates to a methodology or strategy toward tasks, highlighting a planned or structured method, whereas "near" simply denotes proximity or closeness to a goal or deadline without implying strategy.
What are the implications of using "approach" in customer service?
In customer service, using "approach" can imply a tailored or specific way of handling customer interactions, suggesting a proactive and strategic engagement with customers.
What is the primary difference between approach and near?
"Approach" implies movement towards something and often a method or strategy, whereas "near" refers to being close by without implying movement.
Are there idiomatic expressions that use "approach" or "near"?
Yes, idiomatic expressions like "a hands-on approach" use "approach" to describe a direct and practical method, while "near and dear" uses "near" to express significant emotional value.
How does the usage of "approach" vary between academic and casual contexts?
In academic contexts, "approach" often refers to a theoretical framework or methodology, whereas in casual contexts, it might simply mean moving closer to something or starting to deal with a problem.
What visual imagery might "approach" and "near" evoke in advertising?
In advertising, "approach" might evoke imagery of movement or progress towards a product or lifestyle, suggesting a journey or path, while "near" might focus on the immediacy or accessibility of the product.
Can "near" be used to describe relationships or emotional proximity?
Yes, "near" can be used metaphorically to describe relationships or emotional proximity, such as in phrases like "near to my heart" or "we grew nearer over time," indicating closeness or intimacy.
Is there a scenario where "near" can imply danger?
"Near" can imply danger when used in contexts like "near collision" or "near disaster," where it suggests a close call with a potentially harmful outcome.
What role does "approach" play in conflict resolution?
In conflict resolution, "approach" is crucial as it describes the manner or method adopted to address and resolve disputes, emphasizing the importance of strategy and attitude.
How do "approach" and "near" function in navigational contexts?
In navigation, "approach" can describe the act of moving towards a destination (often with caution or according to a plan), whereas "near" simply describes a location's proximity to another.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
