in the general vicinity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the general vicinity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is located nearby or in the surrounding area without being specific. Example: "The restaurant is located in the general vicinity of the park, making it a convenient place to grab a bite after a walk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Or in the general vicinity of the toilet.

The New Yorker

It's not enough to be in the general vicinity.

The New York Times

Gerrard pings the ball in the general vicinity of the penalty spot, but again Ukraine clear.

The Guardian - Sport

"You tell me," Zito said, rolling his eyes in the general vicinity of Hempstead Turnpike.

The New York Times - Sports

They started driving in the general vicinity, until it got dark and they decided to camp out.

The New York Times - Arts

Even after that, Mr. Hale said, early systems often just pointed the telescope in the general vicinity of an object.

The New York Times - Tech

Yet if a crisis isn't at the doorstep, it might at least be in the general vicinity.

The New York Times

These two different descriptions of the article's status in the general vicinity of Election Day last year leave me puzzled.

The New York Times

Jrue Holiday, Philadelphia 76ers – True to form, a number of Sixers were in the general vicinity of this ranking.

The New York Times

Another is south of Kunduz, in the direction of Kabul and in the general vicinity of Baghlan, where 800 to 1,000 fighters have massed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Droney loves to play games, too, like hide-and-seek or pin-a-single-large-tail-somewhere-in-the-general-vicinity-of-the-donkey.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the general vicinity" when you want to indicate that something is located near a specific place or area but you don't need to be precise about the exact location. It's a good way to provide context without being overly specific.

Common error

Avoid using "in the general vicinity" when a more precise location is known or can be easily provided. Over-reliance on vague language can make your writing less informative and less credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the general vicinity" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by providing information about location. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates a non-specific, approximate location.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the general vicinity" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that something is located near a specific place without being precise. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is usable in written English. Its frequency is very common and mainly used in News & Media, Wiki and Science. While the phrase can be useful for providing context, it's important to avoid overusing vague language when more specific details are available. Alternatives like "nearby" or "in close proximity" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearby

A shorter, more direct way of indicating close proximity.

in close proximity

A more formal way of saying "nearby", emphasizing closeness.

in the neighborhood

Indicates a location within the surrounding area.

around the area

Suggests a location within the immediate surroundings.

in the locality

A more formal term for "in the area".

in the region

Indicates a broader area than "vicinity".

in that area

A simpler and more general way to refer to a location.

somewhere close by

Emphasizes the lack of a specific location.

in the approximate location

Highlights the imprecise nature of the location.

within the surrounding area

Emphasizes the area encompassing the location.

FAQs

How can I use "in the general vicinity" in a sentence?

The phrase "in the general vicinity" is used to describe something that is near a particular place. For example, "The store is located in the general vicinity of the park."

What's a good alternative to "in the general vicinity"?

You can use alternatives like "nearby", "in close proximity", or "around the area" depending on the context.

Is it better to be specific or use "in the general vicinity"?

It depends on the context. If precision isn't necessary or you don't have exact details, "in the general vicinity" is appropriate. However, provide specific details when accuracy is important.

What does "in the general vicinity" imply about distance?

"In the general vicinity" suggests a relatively close distance, but it's intentionally vague. It implies that something is not far away but doesn't specify the exact distance.