abutting one another

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "abutting one another" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe two or more objects or entities that are physically touching or adjacent to each other. Example: "The two buildings are abutting one another, creating a seamless transition between their structures."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Back when Maycroft was built, North Haven was sparsely populated, with large family estates and hog farms abutting one another.

The New York Times - Travel

Painted studies for the top layers of carton sculptures depict from two to a half-dozen books abutting one another within rectangular formats.

The New York Times - Arts

The side chains equivalent to Y766 and F762 (Y714 and F710) point toward the active-site cleft, abutting one another and forming a substantial part of the binding pocket for the nascent base pair.

Biochemistry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In some cases, contigs abutted one another without being joined despite apparently high read coverage.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

The five pairs of bubbles expand over the next few microseconds to abut one another at their maximum extent.

Biomedical Optics Express

The peninsula on which it sits, abutting one side of Grand Traverse Bay to the east, is a growing place where vineyards are arriving rapidly among the cherry orchards, and nearby towns are hustling to build up restaurants and condominiums along their waterfronts.

The New York Times - Travel

Though that document exhorted its signatories to cooperate in instances in which conservation areas abutted one another, few efforts were actually made.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This arrangement ensured that the target abutted one of the inducer stimuli on any given trial but that the inducers provided no cue as to the location of the target.

Current Biology

In the cranial vault, suture morphogenesis occurs when the growing cranial bones approximate and overlap or abut one another.

Differentiation

San Diego, California and Tijuana, Baja California abut one another along the extreme western end of the U.S. Mexico border.

BMC Public Health

The courtyard abuts one of the neighborhood's three small parks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing spatial relationships, use "abutting one another" to clearly indicate a direct physical connection without any intervening space. This phrase adds a level of precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "abutting one another" interchangeably with terms like 'adjacent' or 'near'. "Abutting" specifically means directly touching or bordering, whereas 'adjacent' and 'near' can imply proximity without direct contact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abutting one another" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically used to specify the spatial relationship between two or more entities. It clarifies that the entities share a common boundary and are in direct contact, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

32%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "abutting one another" is a grammatically sound and clear way to describe entities that share a direct physical boundary. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its usage, though not exceptionally frequent, tends to occur in formal and technical writing contexts like science and news media. For less formal contexts, alternatives like "abutting each other" or "adjacent to one another" might be more appropriate. Using "abutting" accurately helps to convey spatial relationships with precision, avoiding ambiguity in your descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abutting each other

A more common and less formal way to express the same relationship.

adjoining one another

Indicates a close physical connection or shared boundary; slightly more formal.

adjacent to one another

A more common and generally applicable synonym for close proximity.

contiguous to one another

A more formal term implying direct adjacency without any intervening space.

linking one another

Suggests a connection or relationship, often implying a direct link.

bordering one another

Specifically highlights shared boundaries or edges.

in contact with each other

Emphasizes the physical touch or interaction between the entities.

joining one another

Implies a merging or unification; suitable when elements are coming together.

touching each other

A simpler and more direct expression of physical contact.

converging on each other

Focuses on the act of meeting or approaching closely from different directions.

FAQs

How can I use "abutting one another" in a sentence?

Use "abutting one another" to describe objects or areas that share a common boundary, like "The two buildings were "adjoining one another", forming a continuous facade".

What's the difference between "abutting one another" and "adjacent to one another"?

"Abutting one another" implies direct contact along a boundary, while "adjacent to one another" simply means being nearby or next to each other, without necessarily touching.

Is it correct to say "abutting each other" instead of "abutting one another"?

Yes, "abutting each other" is a more common and equally valid alternative to "abutting one another". Both phrases convey the same meaning.

What are some formal alternatives to "abutting one another"?

For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "contiguous to one another" or "adjoining one another", which convey a similar meaning with a higher degree of formality.