adjoining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adjoining" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is next to or in contact with something else, often in reference to properties or spaces. Example: "The two houses are adjoining, sharing a common wall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Matt and Sweat escaped from adjoining cells by cutting holes in pipes in the prison's heating system and had the time and nerve to leave a note bearing a smiley face and the words "Have a nice day".

The Guardian

"What matters most is a series of small initiatives intertwined with their neighbourhoods and well-connected with other such spaces in adjoining areas for easy accessibility and engagement".

The Guardian

Oman Sail, a government organisation launched in 2008 to develop the sport in the sultanate, has its headquarters in the new marina adjoining this development.

The Guardian - Sport

Last Friday the council obtained a court order for possession of land which covers St Peter's Square and adjoining buildings.

The Guardian

At the school, Nadine Lorenz is mother to two of the six children in the classroom and facilitator of the adjoining e-kindy, where four pre-schoolers have internet-based lessons with a teacher in Brisbane.

The Guardian

This power is limited to accessing the warrant premise and does not allow for the search and seizure of things in that adjoining premise".

The Guardian

He was reminded that in the adjoining room 300 French voters were waiting for the event to begin.

The Guardian - Opinion

Less spacious but modern and light, with country pine furniture, pale carpets and handmade bedspreads, the family suite comprises two adjoining rooms sharing a neat little bathroom.

The Guardian - Travel

It was already known that the area, known as the Horse Hill oilfield after the road adjoining the test drilling site, contained oil.

The Guardian - Business

Adjoining this funky canteen there is also a far more formal, chic restaurant, with a separate and much more expensive menu.

The Guardian - Travel

There's also an adjoining restaurant, where you can order, amongst other things, the traditional Sacromonte omelette, with lambs brains.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing spatial relationships, use "adjoining" to clearly indicate that two entities share a common boundary or are directly connected.

Common error

Avoid using "adjoining" interchangeably with words like "nearby" or "close", which do not necessarily imply a shared boundary. "Adjoining" specifically means sharing a border or being directly connected.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "adjoining" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that they are next to, touching, or sharing a boundary with something else. Ludwig examples confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Travel

15%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Opinion

5%

Arts

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "adjoining" is an adjective used to describe entities sharing a boundary. It is grammatically correct and versatile across different registers, as supported by Ludwig. Common synonyms include "adjacent", "bordering", and "contiguous", but it's important to use "adjoining" when a direct physical connection is intended, according to Ludwig's analysis. Use "adjoining" to ensure clarity when describing spatial relationships, avoiding confusion with terms that only imply proximity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adjoining to

Similar to "adjoining" but explicitly using the preposition "to" for clarity.

adjacent

Indicates that two things are next to each other and may share a boundary.

bordering

Suggests that something forms a border or boundary with something else.

contiguous

Implies that two things touch or are in immediate contact.

connecting

Emphasizes the act of linking or joining two things together.

abutting

Describes two things that touch along a boundary or edge.

next-door

Specifically refers to being in the closest adjacent building or room.

attached

Highlights a physical connection or dependency between two entities.

neighbouring

Indicates being situated next to or near another place or entity.

side-by-side

Describes two things placed directly next to each other.

FAQs

How is "adjoining" used in a sentence?

Use "adjoining" to describe entities sharing a boundary, as in "The "adjoining rooms" were connected by a door."

What are some alternatives to "adjoining"?

You can use "adjacent", "bordering", or "contiguous" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "adjoining to"?

While "adjoining" can function as an adjective, adding "to" is also grammatically acceptable for additional clarity; using "adjoining to" is perfectly valid and can sometimes improve readability.

What is the difference between "adjoining" and "nearby"?

"Adjoining" means sharing a boundary or being directly connected, while "nearby" simply means being in close proximity without necessarily touching. For example, the park is "nearby" the house, but the wall is "adjoining" the building.