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Gene93 Posted 7 years ago
Grammar

Near/on/by the border (with)

Hello everyone,

First, I'd like to apologize for the confusing thread title. Do the sentences below sound normal to you?

- I live in a small town near the Dutch-Belgian border. (I don't.)

- I live in a small town by the Dutch-Belgian border.

- I live in a small town on the Dutch-Belgian border.

To be honest, all of them make sense to me, but their meanings are slightly different. I am not sure if "by" sounds natural, though. Also, can we say "...on/near the border with the Netherlands"?


Thank you.

  

Top answer

Only the third sentence would be heard. Saying "near" or "by" the border confuses things and generates questions like: How near? How close by?

— Anonymous

  • Only the third sentence would be heard.
  • Saying "near" or "by" the border confuses things and generates questions like: How near?
  • How close by?
  • On which side of the border?
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2 Answers
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Only the third sentence would be heard. Saying "near" or "by" the border confuses things and generates questions like: How near? How close by? On which side of the border?

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Gene93I am not sure if "by" sounds natural, though.

It does. It is equivalent to using near and is not specific.

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