Question

Choose the option that fills the blank with the most suitable word:

They were _____ to the sea than they had been before. [Intermediate]

• A. next to
• B. nearer
• C. nearest
• D. as near as

Answer 1

The correct option is B nearer

The correct answer is Option B.

The use of the word 'than' in the sentence implies that the comparative degree of the adverb is used.

Hence, option B - 'nearer' being the comparative degree of the adverb of place 'near' is the correct answer.

Use of comparative degree implies that there is comparison being made.

Option A - 'Next to' is used when someone or something is exactly beside someone/something. Here in the given sentence there is comparison being made. 'They' are not exactly beside the sea. Thus this is the incorrect option.

Option C -'Nearest' is the superlative degree and does not imply comparison.

Option D- 'As near as' means they were near to the sea as they have/had been near to another place in the past. There is no comparison here and hence this is not the suitable answer.

Therefore, Option B is the correct option.