Vicinity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Vicinity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the area surrounding a particular place or location. Example: "There are several restaurants in the vicinity of the hotel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By owning your own property, you get a say in planning law too – your objection to that new tower block counts for far more than the indirect, dissipated unease of all the people hunting desperately for somewhere affordable in the vague vicinity of their work.

The Guardian - Opinion

Five minutes later Vaclik was thankful that no Real player was in the vicinity after he fumbled a Ronaldo effort.

The Guardian - Sport

"In particular, we want to speak to anyone who noticed anything suspicious in the vicinity of Andrews Court, Rickards Street, where the body was found, and also to anyone who may have seen something suspicious near the rugby ground on Sardis Road in the past couple of days.

The Guardian

This is due to a police investigation into a major incident in the vicinity.

The Guardian

And if you do happen to get to the top of the road without succumbing, then there are another seven places to buy a cup in and around the immediate vicinity of the station itself.

The Guardian

The area was desolate and unlit when Rhodes first moved in 20 years ago, and things in the immediate vicinity haven't changed much since 1997, he says.

The Guardian

Related: Adam Gadahn: California death metal fan who rose quickly in al-Qaida's ranks A second drone strike in January, which killed Adam Gadahn, another American who the US says had become an al-Qaida fighter, was also targeted at terrorist compound, without knowledge of who specifically was in the vicinity.

The Guardian

The move, arranged by Pope Francis's almoner, follows a plan unveiled last year to install toilets and showers for the homeless in a renovated area in the vicinity of St Peter's Square.

The Guardian

Even so, there was so much firing going on in the vicinity that a stray bullet could definitely have entered".

The Guardian

Aid to countries in Asia has been cut in the vicinity of 40%, with the exceptions of Cambodia, with which Australia has a deal to resettle refugees intercepted in Australian waters, and Nepal, recently hit by a devastating earthquake.

The Guardian

"This must have been a very frightening experience for everyone caught up in this, especially as it's reported that a number of young children were in the vicinity at the time of the shooting," she said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vicinity" to describe the general area around a specific location, rather than pinpointing an exact spot. For instance, "the park in the vicinity of the school" implies a park nearby, but not necessarily directly adjacent to the school.

Common error

Avoid using "vicinity" when you need to specify an exact address or location. "Vicinity" implies an approximate or general area, not a precise point.

Linguistic Context

The noun "vicinity" functions primarily as a spatial descriptor, indicating the area surrounding a specific location or point of reference. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, such as describing the location of events, amenities, or investigations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vicinity" is a versatile noun used to describe the area surrounding a specific location. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, from news reports to formal documents. While alternatives like "nearby area" or "surrounding area" exist, "vicinity" provides a specific nuance that is often preferable. Keep in mind, as Ludwig AI also suggests, that it's best used to indicate a general area, rather than a precise location. Its high frequency in authoritative sources such as The Guardian and The Economist underscores its relevance in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surrounding area

Emphasizes the area that immediately encompasses a specific location, focusing on the spatial environment.

nearby region

Highlights the geographical aspect, suggesting a region that is not far away.

immediate surroundings

Focuses on the closest environment around a central point, stressing closeness.

neighbourhood

Implies a smaller, more localized area, often residential, that is close by.

proximity

Refers to the state of being near in space, time, or relationship, a more abstract term than "vicinity".

adjacent area

Stresses that the area is right next to or adjoining something else.

locality

Refers to a particular spot, situation, or location, often with legal or administrative implications.

precinct

Suggests a specific district or area, often associated with administrative or policing functions.

environs

Implies the surrounding districts or areas, especially of a town.

neighbouring area

Indicates an area that shares a border or is located next to another area.

FAQs

How can I use "vicinity" in a sentence?

You can use "vicinity" to describe the area surrounding a particular place. For example, "There are several restaurants in the vicinity of the hotel" or "Police are investigating a crime that occurred in the vicinity of the park".

What's a good alternative to using "vicinity"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "nearby area", "surrounding area", or "neighbourhood" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "in close vicinity"?

While commonly used, "in close vicinity" is somewhat redundant since "vicinity" already implies nearness. Simply saying "in the vicinity" is usually sufficient and more concise.

How does "vicinity" differ from "proximity"?

"Vicinity" generally refers to the area immediately surrounding something, whereas "proximity" refers to the state of being near in space or time. "Proximity" is a more abstract term than "vicinity".