neighbours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "neighbours" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to people living near or next to someone, typically in a residential context. Example: "I often borrow tools from my neighbours when I need them for home repairs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Such a development could pose a new threat to the isolated country's neighbours and the United States.

The Guardian

These ambitions often generate friction with its neighbours, especially Tajikistan.

The Guardian

Nigeria's neighbours, Benin, Cameroon, Niger and Chad, were expected to attend, along with US, UK and EU representatives.

The Guardian

Not only do they adopt local customs and costumes, but they also get accepted as friends and neighbours," he said.

The Guardian

"And the erstwhile foreign pundits will soon realise that it is not 'game over for Mugabe' but a new game altogether, not only for Zimbabwe and its neighbours, but for Africa".

The Guardian

Luxembourg under Juncker, he said, operated thus: "They were looking for a new business model, so they stole the tax base of their neighbours".

The Guardian

Neighbours who spoke to US newspapers said he was polite, quiet and seemed to spend too much time looking at computers.

The Guardian

You could: Volunteer at your local community garden Plant some bee-friendly plants on your doorstep Club together to turn some disused land into a veg patch Invite your neighbours over for a clothes mending session Start a car-share scheme or make a pledge with your neighbours to cycle or walk to work or school Host a clothes swap in your village hall or community centre Think you can do it?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The councillor is making his rounds, quietly soliciting from his neighbours their troubles and concerns.

The Guardian

Together with his brother and the neighbours Seppe and Jens Brulmans, nephews of the former Belgian tennis star Kim Clijsters, they set up a YouTube channel and posted their own football videos under the nickname YardBrooz, the yard brothers.

The Guardian - Sport

"It gives you a certain set of values that are around co-operation and concern for your neighbours," she says.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about international relations, use "neighbours" to refer to adjacent countries, especially when discussing political or economic matters. In a residential context, it refers to people who live nearby.

Common error

Remember that "neighbours" is the British English spelling, while "neighbors" is the American English spelling. Choose the correct spelling based on your target audience and the style guide you are following.

Linguistic Context

The word "neighbours" functions primarily as a plural noun, referring to people who live near each other or countries that share a border. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Lifestyle

20%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Opinion

5%

Film

2%

Books

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "neighbours" is a grammatically sound and frequently used plural noun. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and adaptable for various contexts. The word commonly refers to individuals residing in close proximity or countries sharing a border. Whether you're discussing international politics or local community matters, "neighbours" serves as a practical term to identify and connect with those nearby. Remember to adjust the spelling based on your audience (British English: "neighbours", American English: "neighbors") and you will avoid many of the common errors of use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearby residents

Focuses on the residential aspect, replacing the general term with a more specific one.

people next door

Informal way of referring to neighbours, typically in a residential setting.

those in the neighborhood

A way of referrring to neighbours with a slightly different nuance. It emphasizes the area where they live.

local community

Emphasizes the collective aspect of people living in the same area, rather than their proximity to a specific individual.

adjacent countries

Specifically refers to countries sharing a border, a particular context of "neighbours".

bordering nations

Synonymous of 'adjacent countries'. It refers to nations that share a border.

surrounding population

Highlights the people living around a specific location or area.

those in proximity

More formal phrasing that refers to people who are physically close.

immediate vicinity

Instead of focusing on people, it centers on the area surrounding a location.

fellow citizens

Widens the scope to include anyone living in the same city or country.

FAQs

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

"Neighbours" is the British English spelling, while "neighbors" is the American English spelling. The choice depends on the region for which you are writing.

How can I use "neighbours" in a sentence about international relations?

You can say something like, "The country is working to improve its relationship with its "neighbours" in the region."

What is a less formal way to refer to "neighbours"?

A less formal way to refer to "neighbours" is "people next door", especially when talking about residential settings.

What are some similar terms to "neighbours" when discussing communities?

Similar terms include "local community", "nearby residents", or "those in the neighborhood", depending on the context.