abut

USAGE SUMMARY

'abut' is a word in English and is used in written English.
You can use 'abut' as a verb meaning 'to touch or be next to, especially along a border or edge'. Example sentence: The mountain abuts the forest, creating a stunning landscape.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We have no qualms in telling people who are smokers that they ought to stop smoking, but we are reticent abut telling people to go on a diet.

The Guardian

The aim is to drive out Palestinians from areas that abut the settlements.

The Economist

Different tubes abut different molecular combinations.

The Economist

It is also virtually the only thing left to be caught in the sea lochs that abut western Scotland level with Glasgow.

The Economist

According to a recent report by the Israeli human-rights group, B'tselem, 135 settlements (housing about 380,000 settlers) now control 43% of all West Bank land, much of it in vast blocks that abut the old border.

The Economist

Recent studies suggest that German firms have cut labour costs by as much as 70% by shifting production of some components abroad.In this Germany has been blessed by geography, as some of its main manufacturing regions abut formerly communist states with cheaper but still well-educated workforces.

The Economist

Where these abut, the smooth one appears to overlie the rough.

The Economist

The wacky design attracted controversy when it was first built but now is as much a part of the furniture as is "Old Father Time" on his weathervane.Unlike most sporting venues, here the pitch and stands are surrounded by pleasant open spaces the nursery cricket ground and cool shady gardens abut a circular walkway around the outside of the stands.

The Economist

Even in the cities, where American towers, cars and neon abut on shabby Mexican sprawl, business buildings in this post-NAFTA age of increasingly interlinked economies now look much the same on either side.

The Economist

These molecules are secreted into junctions called synapses, where nerve cells abut one another, and when they have done their job they are absorbed back into the cells that secreted them, a process called re-uptake.

The Economist

These compounds are interspersed cheek-by-jowl with ramshackle townships, where improvised stalls abut open gutters.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "abut" when you want to specifically denote that two things share a common boundary or edge, emphasizing their physical connection.

Common error

Avoid using "abut" in contexts where a more general term like "relate to" or "connect with" would be more appropriate. "Abut" implies physical adjacency, so abstract connections are not suitable.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "abut" is as a verb, specifically a transitive or intransitive verb, indicating that something touches or borders something else. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a valid word in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Encyclopedias

21%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "abut" functions as a verb that precisely describes a direct physical connection between two entities sharing a boundary. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and validity. Predominantly found in news, encyclopedic, and scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral to formal register. When writing, ensure that "abut" is used to indicate a true physical adjacency, avoiding its misuse in abstract scenarios. Alternatives like "border on" or "adjoin" can be employed to vary expression while maintaining accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Border on

Emphasizes the action of sharing a boundary, often in a geographical or abstract sense.

Adjoin

Implies a closer physical connection and immediate adjacency.

Be adjacent to

Directly states the condition of being next to something.

Be contiguous with

Highlights the unbroken sequence or contact between two entities.

Touch

Indicates physical contact, which can be a more general term for adjacency.

Meet

Suggests a point of intersection or contact, often used for lines or surfaces.

Lies next to

Focuses on the spatial relationship of being in close proximity.

Edge up to

Suggests a gradual approach to a shared boundary.

Connect with

Implies a broader connection, which may include physical adjacency.

Join

A broader term that refers to link one thing to another. Not as precise as "abut".

FAQs

How to use "abut" in a sentence?

Use "abut" to describe how two entities share a common boundary. For example, "The garden abuts the forest" indicates the garden and forest are directly next to each other.

What can I say instead of "abut"?

You can use alternatives like "border on", "adjoin", or "be adjacent to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "abut" or "adjacent"?

"Abut" means to touch or border along a boundary, while "adjacent" simply means near or next to. "Abut" implies a direct physical connection, whereas "adjacent" does not necessarily.

What's the difference between "abut" and "connect"?

"Abut" specifically refers to sharing a border or edge, implying physical contact. "Connect", on the other hand, is a broader term that can refer to any kind of link, physical or abstract.