Nearly the speed vs near the speed, 99.9 percent the speed
1. For sake of argument, suppose we throw them at nearly the speed of light.
2. For sake of argument, suppose we throw them at near the speed of light.
3. For sake of argument, suppose we throw them at 99.9 percent the speed of light.
Could you tell me which sentences are correct?
I think they're all correct because I have seen them all used in books.
Top answer
Numbers 1 and 3 are fine. In number 2, "nearly" is better. "Near" is technically correct, but in this setting it clashes with the expected "nearly", probably because of the structure " at (adverb) rate of speed ".
- Numbers 1 and 3 are fine.
- In number 2, "nearly" is better.
- "Near" is technically correct, but in this setting it clashes with the expected "nearly", probably because of the structure " at (adverb) rate of speed ".
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Numbers 1 and 3 are fine. In number 2, "nearly" is better. "Near" is technically correct, but in this setting it clashes with the expected "nearly", probably because of the structure "at (adverb) rate of speed".
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