near by (nearby)

Spotting "near by" in a draft usually means a spacing mistake. Use "nearby" (one word) to mean "not far"; use "near" + noun when the phrase needs a prepositional object.

Below: clear rules, hyphenation notes, grammar points, plenty of copy-ready rewrites for work, school, and casual writing, plus a quick checklist to fix instances at scale.

Quick answer

Write "nearby" as one word when you mean "not far" and it functions as an adjective or adverb. Use "near" + noun when you need a preposition plus an object. Avoid "near by" (two words) and "near-by" (hyphen) in modern writing.

"Nearby" = adjective ("a nearby store") or adverb ("She lives nearby").
"Near" + noun = preposition + object ("near the store").
Do not split "nearby" into "near by"; prefer "nearby" or "near" + noun.

Core rule in one sentence

If the word links directly to a noun, use "near" + noun; if it modifies a verb or a noun as a compact descriptor, use "nearby." "Near by" is almost always wrong.

Adjective: a nearby clinic
Adverb: The clinic is nearby
Preposition + noun: near the clinic

Wrong: I left the package near by the front door.
Right: I left the package near the front door.
Alternative: I left the package nearby.

Spacing choices - when to use "near" vs. "nearby"

Decide whether the word needs a prepositional object. If you naturally say "near the X," use "near X." If you mean a compact modifier or adverb, use "nearby."

Use "near" + noun when the sentence needs an object: "near the station."
Use "nearby" as a single word to modify a noun ("nearby station") or to act as an adverb ("the station is nearby").
If tempted to write "near by," change it to either "near" + noun or "nearby."

Wrong: There is a bookstore near by the campus.
Right: There is a bookstore near the campus.
Right: There is a nearby bookstore.

Hyphenation: is "near-by" acceptable?

"Near-by" with a hyphen is archaic or nonstandard. Do not hyphenate "nearby." If a modifier gets awkward, rewrite the phrase to avoid forced hyphens.

Avoid: "a near-by shop" - write "a nearby shop."
Better: "a shop near the station" or "a shop nearby" rather than introducing a hyphen.

Wrong: We found a near-by café on Google Maps.
Right: We found a nearby café on Google Maps.

Grammar: "nearby" as adjective vs. adverb

"Nearby" modifies nouns (adjective) or verbs/clauses (adverb). When the sentence requires a prepositional object, prefer "near" + noun instead of splitting "nearby."

Adjective: "a nearby park" (modifies park).
Adverb: "He lives nearby" (modifies the verb lives).
Prepositional: "He lives near the park" (near + object).

Wrong: We visited a near by monument last weekend.
Right: We visited a nearby monument last weekend.
Alternative: We visited a monument near the park last weekend.

Real usage: ready-to-use examples for work, school, and casual contexts

Choose the version that matches tone and formality. In formal or technical writing, "near" + noun often reads clearer; in casual writing, "nearby" is fine.

Work: be concise and specific.
School: prefer precise constructions; "near the" often reads better.
Casual: "nearby" is natural; never split it.

Work - Wrong: Is there a meeting room near by?
Work - Right: Is there a meeting room nearby?
Work - Alt: Is there a meeting room near the reception?
School - Wrong: The lab is near by the chemistry building.
School - Right: The lab is near the chemistry building.
School - Alt: There's a nearby lab for chemistry students.
Casual - Wrong: Any good bars near by?
Casual - Right: Any good bars nearby?
Casual - Alt: Any good bars near me?

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence, not just the phrase. Context will usually indicate whether "near" + noun or "nearby" fits best.

Examples: common wrong/right pairs (copyable)

Quick swaps you can paste into drafts.

Pair 1: Wrong: I left my keys near by the bike.
Right: I left my keys near the bike. Alt: I left my keys nearby.
Pair 2: Wrong: A coffee shop is near by our office.
Right: A coffee shop is near our office. Alt: There's a nearby coffee shop.
Pair 3: Wrong: She waited near by until I arrived.
Right: She waited nearby until I arrived.
Pair 4: Wrong: We parked near by the stadium.
Right: We parked near the stadium. Alt: We parked nearby the stadium. (OK but "near" + noun preferred)
Pair 5: Wrong: Is there a printer near by?
Right: Is there a printer nearby? Alt: Is there a printer near reception?
Pair 6: Wrong: There is a bookstore near by the campus center.
Right: There is a bookstore near the campus center. Alt: There is a nearby bookstore.
Pair 7 - Rewrite: "She parked near by the entrance" → "She parked near the entrance." or "She parked nearby."
Pair 8 - Rewrite: "We have a store near by our office" → "We have a store near our office." or "There's a nearby store."
Pair 9 - Rewrite: "Can I sit near by?" → "Can I sit nearby?"

Rewrite help: three quick fixes you can paste

When you find "near by," follow the simple process below and apply one of these templates.

Step 1: Spot "near by."
Step 2: Decide: does the sentence need "near" + noun or "nearby"?
Step 3: Apply a template and read the sentence aloud.

Template 1 (preposition): Replace "near by the X" → "near the X." Example: "The café is near the station."
Template 2 (adjective): Replace "a near by [noun]" → "a nearby [noun]." Example: "a nearby clinic."
Template 3 (adverb): Replace "near by" after verbs → "nearby." Example: "They live nearby."
Quick rewrite: Fix multiple instances at once: "There is a store near by the office, and a cafe near by the train station" → "There is a store near the office and a cafe near the train station."

Memory trick and quick editing checklist

Catch "near by" fast with a short aloud test and a checklist.

Aloud test: If you'd say "near the X," use "near." If you'd say "nearby" as one word, write "nearby."
Mnemonic: "Near + noun, Nearby alone."
Checklist: find "near by" → decide "near" vs "nearby" → pick the cleaner rewrite → read aloud.

Check example: "near by the store" → try "near the store" or "nearby" and choose the clearer option.

Similar mistakes to watch for

Writers who split "nearby" often mishandle other compounds. Use the same simple test.

"a lot" vs "alot" - correct: "a lot."
"everyday" (adjective) vs "every day" (adverbial phrase).
"anymore" (adverb) vs "any more" (depends on meaning).
When unsure, run a quick find for "near by", "alot", "every day", etc.

Similar - Wrong: I see that alot of people are late. Right: I see that a lot of people are late.
Similar - Wrong: She wears a everyday uniform to class. Right: She wears an everyday uniform to class.

FAQ

Is "near by" ever correct?

In contemporary English, "near by" as two words is almost never correct. Choose "nearby" or "near" + noun based on sentence structure.

Can I say "nearby the store"?

"Nearby the store" is understandable but can sound awkward in formal writing. Prefer "near the store" or "a nearby store."

Should I ever write "near-by" with a hyphen?

No. "Near-by" is nonstandard today. Use "nearby" without a hyphen or rewrite the phrase.

Is "nearby" an adjective or an adverb?

"Nearby" can be both: adjective before a noun ("a nearby station") or adverb after a verb/clause ("They live nearby").

How can I quickly fix "nearby" errors in a long document?

Search for the string "near by" and for each instance decide whether "near" + noun or "nearby" fits. Apply the replacement and read the sentence aloud. A grammar tool can speed this up.

Quick edit tip

Run a targeted search for "near by" and apply the templates above. Small consistent fixes like this sharpen your writing and remove the impression of carelessness.

Paste one sentence here and I'll suggest the clearest rewrite for work, school, or casual tone.