1. The south exit is close to the bus stop.

2. The south exit is close by the bus stop.

3. The south exit is near by the bus stop.

4. The south exit is nearby the bus stop.

5. The south exit is next to the bus stop.
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Which ones are grammatical? What other expressions can we use instead of 'close to'?

#3 is incorrect. "near by" should be "nearby" as in #4.

Alternatives: "The south exit is near the bus stop." "The south exit is adjacent to the bus stop." "The south exit is near the bus stop."

#s 3 and 4 are incorrect.

The others are fine, and Reed's examples are fine, too.

Out of the given options, sentences 1, 2, and 5 are grammatically correct.

1. The south exit is close to the bus stop.
2. The south exit is close by the bus stop.
5. The south exit is next to the bus stop.

These sentences convey that the south exit and the bus stop are in close proximity to each other.

As for alternative expressions instead of "close to," you can use:

- "Near the bus stop" or "in close proximity to the bus stop" to indicate that the south exit is located nearby.
- "Adjacent to the bus stop" to specify that the south exit is directly next to the bus stop.
- "Within walking distance of the bus stop" to emphasize that the south exit is easily reachable by foot from the bus stop.