contiguous with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contiguous with" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts related to geography, property, or data structures to indicate that two or more entities are adjacent or touching each other. Example: "The two properties are contiguous with each other, sharing a common boundary."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Enschede metropolitan area is contiguous with Hengelo.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The political is contiguous with the personal.

The Guardian - Books

They are contiguous with some segment of the GI tract.

Nature

Adductor muscle scars shallow, contiguous with pedal retractor scars.

Nature

Contiguous with this are uplands in Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A present in which nature was not only contiguous with them, but continuous.

The Guardian

Endotenon is contiguous with epitenon, the fine layer of connective tissue that sheaths the tendon unit.

Britannica

It is contiguous with the Gran Paradiso National Park in Italy.

Britannica

The Spratly Islands are contiguous with the Coral Triangle bioregion, the pinnacle of marine biodiversity on the planet.

The Guardian

Perhaps the development of religious expression is contiguous with language, and as fundamental to the emergence of human consciousness.

The New York Times

At every turn Isabella's experience is contiguous with that of the people who were deciphering and shaping her world.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing geographical locations or property lines, use “contiguous with” to clearly indicate that two areas share a boundary.

Common error

Avoid using “contiguous with” when you only mean that two things are close to each other. “Contiguous with” specifically means sharing a boundary, not just being in the same vicinity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contiguous with" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating that two entities share a common boundary. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "contiguous with" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to describe two entities that share a common boundary. According to Ludwig, it is widely applicable in both formal and informal contexts. While frequently used in scientific and news-related content, it is best used to accurately depict spatial or abstract relationships involving shared borders. Alternative phrases such as “"adjacent to"” or “"bordering on"” can provide similar meanings, though may not always precisely capture the meaning of sharing a boundary. As Ludwig confirms, the correct usage and consistency across authoritative sources marks "contiguous with" as a versatile and reliable phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adjacent to

Focuses on the immediate nearness without necessarily implying a shared boundary.

adjoining

Emphasizes the joining or connecting aspect of two entities.

bordering on

Highlights the boundary or edge that one entity shares with another.

next to

Indicates a position immediately beside something, often used in a less formal context.

in contact with

Stresses the physical touching or connection between two things.

sharing a border with

Explicitly states that two entities have a common boundary.

abutting

A more formal term for touching or bordering, often used in legal or technical contexts.

connected to

Implies a link or attachment, not necessarily a physical adjacency.

linking with

Suggests a connection or relationship that may not be strictly physical.

lying alongside

Describes a position parallel to another entity.

FAQs

How do you use “contiguous with” in a sentence?

Use “contiguous with” to indicate that two areas or objects share a common boundary. For example, “The park is "contiguous with" the forest reserve.”

What's the difference between “adjacent to” and “contiguous with”?

While both terms indicate nearness, “"adjacent to"” simply means being next to something. “"Contiguous with"” specifically means sharing a boundary or edge.

What can I say instead of “contiguous with”?

Alternatives include “"adjoining"”, “"bordering on"”, or “"adjacent to"”, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is “not contiguous with” another area?

Yes, you can use “not contiguous with” to clearly state that two areas do not share a boundary and are separate. For instance, “The island is not "contiguous with" the mainland.”