"close proximity"

Posted by ESC on October 03, 2003

In Reply to: "Close proximity" posted by ESC on October 03, 2003

: : In the US we often hear "close proximity". The media and other reports attempting to appear serious often use "close proximity". It appears to mean close or near. Questions: are the two words together a bit redundant? Is this just a US thing? Does one ever recall hearing "distant proximity" or "intermediate proximity"?

: I believe "nearby" would be a better choice of words. From these Merriam Webster entries, it looks like you're right about redundancy:

: Main Entry: prox·im·i·ty
: Pronunciation: präk-'si-m&-tE
: Function: noun
: Etymology: Middle French proximité, from Latin proximitat-, proximitas, from proximus
: Date: 15th century
: : the quality or state of being proximate : CLOSENESS

: Main Entry: prox·i·mate
: Pronunciation: 'präk-s&-m&t
: Function: adjective
: Etymology: Latin proximatus, past participle of proximare to approach, from proximus nearest, next, superlative of prope near -- more at APPROACH
: Date: 1661
: 1 : immediately preceding or following (as in a chain of events, causes, or effects)
: 2 a : very near : CLOSE b : soon forthcoming : IMMINENT

"Usually the extra word is redundant, or such compound expressions can be replaced by single words, as shown in italics in the following examples:
in close proximity to - near..." www.nrcan.gc.ca/ess/pubs/guide/gramm/jargon_e.html

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