immediate neighbours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "immediate neighbours" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to entities or individuals that are directly adjacent or next to each other, often in a geographical or relational context. Example: "The immediate neighbours of the property have expressed their concerns about the new construction project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their immediate neighbours include the Venda and the Tsonga.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We're just going around greeting our immediate neighbours".

The Guardian - Books

Today Turkey has problems with nearly all of its immediate neighbours.

Independent

The effect of the paintings was to "reduce their immediate neighbours on the wall to paper".

The New Yorker

ISRAEL under Ehud Barak keeps coming tantalisingly close to a definitive peace with its immediate neighbours.

The Economist

Although it overpowered its immediate neighbours, South Africa's expansionist ambitions in the region were largely blocked.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Singapore's diplomatic relations with its immediate neighbours improved in the 21st century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The fate of the region's immediate neighbours will also make a difference.

The Economist

After interchange, the potential energy between molecule 1 and one of its immediate neighbours is Γ12, and that between molecule 2 and one of its immediate neighbours is also Γ12.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Iraq's poison gas and Iran's missiles would, you might think, be regarded as a threat by their immediate neighbours.

The Economist

FOR the United States' two immediate neighbours, the Democratic Party's primary campaign has been an unedifying spectacle.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "immediate neighbours" in writing, consider the specific context to ensure clarity. For geographical contexts, it refers to the closest adjacent areas or properties. In social contexts, it denotes the people or entities in closest proximity or relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "immediate neighbours" when referring to distant or loosely connected entities. This phrase implies a direct and close relationship, so using it inappropriately can create confusion or misrepresent the actual situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "immediate neighbours" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in a wide range of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

21%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

3%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "immediate neighbours" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase. Ludwig AI indicates that its primary function is to denote entities in close proximity. Its usage spans various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific literature, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates a direct and close relationship to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

next-door neighbors

Replaces 'immediate' with 'next-door' to specify physical proximity in a residential context.

adjacent residents

Replaces 'neighbours' with 'residents' to focus on those who live nearby and 'immediate' with 'adjacent' to emphasizes proximity.

proximate communities

Shifts the focus to communities that are located close to each other, replacing 'neighbours' with 'communities' and 'immediate' with 'proximate'.

surrounding population

Broadens the scope to the entire population in the vicinity, using 'surrounding' instead of 'immediate'.

nearby localities

Focuses on geographical areas close to a specific location, swapping 'neighbours' to 'localities' and 'immediate' with 'nearby'.

adjoining territories

Emphasizes the connection of adjacent lands or regions, swapping 'neighbours' to 'territories' and 'immediate' with 'adjoining'.

closest associates

Changes the context to relationships, indicating those who are nearest in terms of connection or partnership, replacing 'neighbours' with 'associates'.

direct contacts

Highlights individuals or entities with whom one has a direct link, substituting 'neighbours' with 'contacts' and 'immediate' with 'direct'.

nearest companions

Replaces 'neighbours' with 'companions' shifting the meaning to people who are closely associated or friends.

bounding regions

Describes areas that share a common boundary, replacing 'neighbours' with 'regions' and 'immediate' with 'bounding'.

FAQs

What does "immediate neighbours" mean?

The phrase "immediate neighbours" refers to entities or individuals that are directly adjacent or next to each other. It is often used in geographical or relational contexts.

How can I use "immediate neighbours" in a sentence?

You can use "immediate neighbours" to describe countries sharing a border, houses next to each other, or even related concepts in a field of study. For example: "Singapore's diplomatic relations with its "immediate neighbours" improved in the 21st century."

What are some alternatives to "immediate neighbours"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "next-door neighbors", "adjacent residents", or "proximate communities".

Is it correct to say "immediate neighbors" instead of "immediate neighbours"?

Yes, "immediate neighbors" is the American English spelling, while "immediate neighbours" is the British English spelling. Both are correct, depending on the dialect you are using.