expressionsintensifying-adverbsphrase-meaning
Concerning style, usage, and correctness: what is the difference in meaning (and therefore usage & correctness) between these two phrases?
A quick search reveals both are in use.
Also, what other precedent for meaning, style, and usage exists for multiple phrases (adverb modifying adverb, or otherwise) with the same or nearly the same meaning?
I see a small difference between I am fine with it and it is fine for me, which is the same difference between I am unclear (used to express doubt or confusion) and it is unclear to me: in one phrase the grammar subject is I, in the other is it. For example, the focus could be placed on I to mean it is unclear to me, but it can be clear to others, or it is fine with me, and it will be fine with the others too; vice versa, the focus could be put on it to mean it is fine with me, but I don't know what others would think.
Most probably, both the sentences (the one starting with I, and the one starting with it) are understood to mean the same thing from most the people.
Looking for the frequency those, and similar phrases, are used, I get the following data (first chart; second chart):
Close is a perfectly fine adverb. It works especially well with verbs involving position or motion.
Per the OED:
In (or into) a position in which the intervening space is closed up, so that there is no interval; in immediate contact or proximity; as near as can be, very near. Esp. with stand, sit, lie, stick, cling, keep, hold, press, etc., or with vbs. of motion, as come, bring, etc.
Your instinct to use followed close behind is in keeping with these. It’s like asking somebody to stand closer to you. It just wouldn’t sound right the other way in many cases, including that one.
Best Answer
Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but this is how I understand it.
Near and Nearly
Source: Grammarly Handbook
This means that both of the following are correct:
This essay is nearly complete.
This essay is near-complete.
If we switch to "Nearly universally", we are now dealing with "near" + adjective + noun. An example sentence could be:
This essay is nearly universally accepted.
This essay is near-universally accepted.
Here, some minor ambiguity is possible because there are two modifiers and a noun. To me, these both can have different meanings, if only slightly.
This essay is nearly universally accepted. The essay is very close to being "universally accepted".
This essay is near-universally accepted. The essay is accepted "almost universally".
Nearly modifies accepted while Near- modifies universal.
Usage
Neither of them sound great to me and neither is widely used. But of the two, nearly universally is more common according to Google NGrams.
I recommend skipping both and rephrasing into something cleaner.