neighbors

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "neighbors" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to people living near or next to someone, often in the context of community or social interactions. Example: "I often borrow tools from my neighbors when I need them for home repairs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Also, instead of assuming arbitrary word order scrambling, reordering models are used, according to which a given phrase may tend to be swapped with the left or right neighboring phrase or displaced from the neighbors, in the translation process.

SEP

Just as Las Vegas has long succeeded by allowing more misbehavior than Nevada's neighbors, Dubai recognizes the opportunity that come from the strictness of neighboring Islamic states.

The Economist

But Greek voters are equally certain that it's unfair for them to suffer years of slim government budgets and high unemployment in order to repay foreign banks and richer northern neighbors, which have reaped outsized benefits from closer European integration.

The New York Times

I felt that my friends and neighbors were saying that my love is not the same as theirs".

The Economist

The newspaper quoted witnesses as saying some people banged on doors, asking for help, and afterward urged neighbors to call 911 amid crying and screaming.

The Guardian

And in the tumult of the past year – whether from faith- and fear-based state laws that even our most backward southern neighbors won't enact, or the unrest and police violence in the streets of Ferguson – that character flaw was laid bare.

The Guardian - Opinion

Neighbors described Gildersleeve as an active man who often spent time working on his house, the Baltimore Sun reported.

The Guardian

The punishment was carried out by hundreds of the victims' neighbors in a village in northern Kunduz Province, according to Nadir Khan, 40, a local farmer and Taliban sympathizer, who was interviewed by telephone.

The Economist

But Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania do not have a choice about their neighbors, and to be blunt, they live in what is a notoriously bad neighborhood, one where their interests have been ignored or trampled on by others.

The Economist

We find that ideological segregation of online news consumption is low in absolute terms, higher than the segregation of most offline news consumption, and significantly lower than the segregation of face-to-face interactions with neighbors, co-workers, or family members.

The Economist

Depressingly, Haitians are unlike their Caribbean neighbors and resemble sub-Saharan African countries.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, "neighbors" can be used to describe entities or data points that are close to each other in a network or spatial context, like in social network analysis or geographic studies.

Common error

Avoid using "neighbors" when you are referring to a broader population or community that extends beyond those in immediate proximity. Using more precise terms like "community members" or "local residents" can improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "neighbors" primarily functions as a plural noun. It refers to individuals residing in close proximity to one another. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples illustrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "neighbors" is a common and versatile noun, frequently used to describe people living in close proximity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, including News & Media and Science. While generally neutral in tone, its formality can be adjusted with alternatives like "local residents" or "nearby inhabitants" for more formal settings. Effective use of "neighbors" involves considering the context and choosing the most precise term to reflect the desired relationship or proximity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Local residents

Focuses on residency within a specific area, emphasizing the geographical aspect.

Nearby inhabitants

Highlights the act of inhabiting a place in proximity to others.

Adjacent dwellers

Emphasizes dwelling in adjacent properties, a more formal phrasing.

Community members

Stresses the aspect of belonging to the same community, not just physical proximity.

People next door

Specifically refers to the people living in the immediately adjacent house or apartment.

Surrounding population

Broader term referring to all people living in the vicinity.

Those in proximity

Highlights the fact of being close by; more abstract.

Folks in the neighborhood

Informal way of referring to people living in the same neighborhood.

Close residents

Focuses on the closeness and intensity of their being residents.

Vicinity occupants

More formal and technical way of describing people occupying a nearby area.

FAQs

How can I use "neighbors" in a sentence?

You can use "neighbors" to refer to people who live near you, as in, "I borrowed some sugar from my "neighbors"". It can also be used more broadly to describe adjacent entities or areas.

What is a good alternative to using "neighbors"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "local residents", "nearby inhabitants", or "community members" to provide a more specific meaning.

Is it correct to use "neighbors" to describe countries?

Yes, you can use "neighbors" to describe countries that share a border, as in, "France and Germany are "neighbors"". This is a common and accepted usage.

What's the difference between "neighbors" and "residents"?

"Neighbors" specifically refers to people who live near each other, often implying a sense of community or immediate proximity. "Residents" is a more general term for people who live in a particular area, which could be a city, state, or country.