in the vicinity of

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the vicinity of" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is close to a certain thing or place. Example: I found a small cafe in the vicinity of the library.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was in the vicinity of An Najaf.

The New York Times

Isla and Rain hover in the vicinity of actual meaning.

The New York Times - Food

Eight of their responses fell in the vicinity of "maybe".

The New York Times

fastball in the vicinity of the batter's jaw.

The New York Times - Sports

Vegetables are important in the vicinity of large towns.

Britannica

Vegetables were cultivated mainly in the vicinity of towns.

Britannica

There are many Inca stoneworks in the vicinity of Cuzco.

The New York Times - Travel

Further south, not in the vicinity of this event.

The New York Times

"Eight hundred thousand people live in the vicinity of Yogyakarta.

The Guardian

Xiaohuadianba in the vicinity of Huadianba medicinal herb farm.

Harvard University

Purpus often collected in the vicinity of Bear Creek.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the vicinity of" when you want to indicate that something is near or close to a specific location without being exactly at that location. It's useful for describing approximate locations or areas.

Common error

Avoid using "in the vicinity of" in casual contexts where simpler alternatives like "near" or "around" would be more appropriate. Overly formal language can sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the vicinity of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying nouns or verbs to specify location or proximity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard and grammatically sound English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

30%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in the vicinity of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate nearness or proximity to a specific location or object. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for a wide range of contexts, particularly formal writing. While alternatives such as "nearby" or "close to" exist, "in the vicinity of" provides a more precise and sometimes more formal tone. Usage patterns indicate that it is frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Academia, as supported by Ludwig's examples. Remember to use simpler alternatives in informal writing, preventing the overuse of formal language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in proximity to

A more formal and slightly more precise way to indicate nearness.

close to

A simple and direct alternative, suitable for most contexts.

in the locality of

Similar meaning, employing a slightly more formal tone.

in the neighborhood of

Similar in meaning, but often used for approximate locations or quantities.

nearby

A more concise and informal way of expressing close proximity.

in the area of

A broader term, indicating a general region rather than immediate closeness.

around

A less precise but more casual way to indicate location.

adjacent to

Implies direct bordering or touching, more specific than the original phrase.

within reach of

Suggests that something is easily accessible from a certain location.

bordering on

Implies being located at the edge or boundary of something.

FAQs

What does "in the vicinity of" mean?

The phrase "in the vicinity of" means near or close to a particular location. It suggests that something is located in the general area, but not necessarily at the exact spot.

What can I say instead of "in the vicinity of"?

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

Is it correct to use "in the vicinity of" in formal writing?

Yes, "in the vicinity of" is perfectly acceptable in formal writing. It adds a level of precision and is suitable for academic, professional, and news contexts.

How does "in the vicinity of" differ from "adjacent to"?

"In the vicinity of" indicates a general area, while "adjacent to" implies that two things are directly next to each other, often sharing a boundary.