neighbouring

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "neighbouring" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used in a positive sense to refer to something close or adjacent to something else. For example, "The neighbouring village had a much larger population than our own."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most people need help in neighbouring countries and Britain is rightly setting an example in providing aid to the nearly 4 million Syrian refugees in the region.

The Guardian

A survey by the UKHCA found the average rate across the UK was £13.66 an hour, with Liverpool and neighbouring Knowsley councils paying less than £11.

The Guardian

The shooting is being investigated by a group of 15 officers from neighbouring police forces, sparking criticisms of a lack of impartiality.

The Guardian

After the whiteness and midnight markets of neighbouring El Jadida, the colours were muted.

The Guardian - Travel

Other options for active visitors include snorkelling – try Deep Bay, where there is a 100-year-old wreck; diving at Cades Reef (jollydive.com); exploring old fortifications such as Fort Berkeley; and taking the ferry to neighbouring Barbuda to see the frigate bird colony, caves and pink-sand beaches.

The Guardian - Travel

The province of Cádiz feels more foreign, exotic and isolated than neighbouring Málaga.

The Guardian - Travel

What they did not mention was that she had just returned from neighbouring Guinea, where she had been staying with her father before he died.

The Guardian

"If our business community doesn't have its expectations (met), the ones they had a couple of years ago when we were going to be connected next after our neighbouring city Armidale, with all this infrastructure already in the ground, then I think that that political landscape may well change".

The Guardian

On the Saudi side, the departure of US troops stationed in the country to neighbouring Qatar was meant to debunk jihadi pledges to "remove infidels from the Arabian peninsula".

The Guardian

Ingredients for their kitchen are sourced with great care; as organic as possible, first from their own garden, the rest from farmers' markets, neighbouring farms and artisan suppliers.

The Guardian - Travel

The civil war, which shows no signs of abating, has cost the lives of more than 200,000 people; left nine million internally displaced and 3.8 million seeking refuge in neighbouring countries.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "neighbouring" to describe geographical proximity or adjacency, particularly when specifying relationships between regions, cities, or properties. It adds a clear sense of location and connection.

Common error

Avoid using "neighbouring" to describe abstract relationships or similarities. Stick to its primary meaning of physical closeness to maintain clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The word "neighbouring" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something is situated next to or near something else. Ludwig's examples show its use in contexts like "neighbouring countries" or "neighbouring cities."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Travel

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "neighbouring" is a versatile adjective commonly used to denote proximity or adjacency. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability, especially in geographical and spatial contexts. As demonstrated by numerous examples from reputable sources like The Guardian and BBC, "neighbouring" effectively specifies relationships between places and entities. To enhance precision, avoid its overuse in abstract contexts and consider alternatives like "adjacent" or "nearby" for nuanced meanings. "Neighbouring" remains a valuable term for clearly indicating physical closeness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Adjacent

Implies immediate closeness, often sharing a boundary.

Adjoining

Suggests a direct connection or touching of boundaries.

Contiguous

Means sharing a common border or being in direct contact.

Bordering

Implies sharing a border, especially between regions or countries.

Nearby

Indicates a close distance, but not necessarily directly connected.

Vicinal

A more formal term for being near or close by.

Proximate

Similar to nearby, but can also imply a causal relationship.

Surrounding

Indicates being located around something.

Closest

Implies the shortest distance or most immediate proximity.

Local

Refers to the immediate area or community.

FAQs

How to use "neighbouring" in a sentence?

"Neighbouring" is used to describe something that is located next to or near another place. For example, "The fire spread to the "neighbouring buildings"".

What can I say instead of "neighbouring"?

You can use alternatives like "adjacent", "nearby", or "adjoining" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "neighbouring country" or "adjacent country"?

Both "neighbouring country" and "adjacent country" are correct, but "neighbouring" is more commonly used in general English. "Adjacent" often implies a more direct or immediate connection.

What's the difference between "neighbouring" and "surrounding"?

"Neighbouring" implies being next to something, while "surrounding" means being all around something. For example, "neighbouring towns" are next to each other, while "surrounding forest" encircles a town.