come near -ing

Question

Hi everyone,Which of the following two sentences sounds the more natural?He came near punching the taxi driver in the jaw.He came near to punching the taxi driver in the jaw.I think I have so far used the first. My dictionary, however, indicates both are correct.Thanks.

Danyoo · Accepted Answer

KomountainHi everyone,

Which of the following two sentences sounds the more natural?

He came near punching the taxi driver in the jaw.
He came near to punching the taxi driver in the jaw.

I think I have so far used the first. My dictionary, however, indicates both are correct.

Thanks.

I would use either one of the following:
He nearly came to punching the taxi driver in the jaw.
He and the taxi driver nearly came to blows.

CalifJim · Answer

Personally, I like the second one better.
You can also say, "He just about punched the taxi driver ...".

CJ

Paco2004 · Answer

My dictionary [Genius unabridged E-J dictionary] says "come near to doing" is formal and "come near doing" is informal.

OED gives an explanation only to "come near to doing".
Near : [adverb] 15.
"come near to doing sth": to be on the point of, almost to succeed in doing sth.
They droop and come near to dying. [1862 Gladstone]
This final stroke went near to overcoming her. [1890 "Temple Bar"]

paco

Komountain · Answer

Thank you all for your comments.

I wish you and all our forum members a merry Christmas!

MrPedantic · Answer

I don't think I've heard the first version. (But maybe I wasn't listening.)

You can also say "come close to", e.g.

1. I came close to breaking the cab-driver's jaw, when he took me from London to Heathrow by way of Edinburgh.

Likewise, a merry Christmas to all! (Including the cabbies.)

MrP

come near -ing

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