neighbours with

USAGE SUMMARY

"neighbours with" is a perfectly valid phrase for written English.
You can use it when referring to the relationship between two people or groups of people who live near each other. For example, "The Smiths have been neighbours with the Thompsons for many years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It could bully its neighbours with impunity.

The Economist

Verse - "Come listen kind neighbours with heart and good".

Yale University

Australia treats its neighbours with contempt.

The Guardian - Opinion

The uninvited guests annoyed neighbours with incessant bongo-playing.

The Guardian

I used to watch Neighbours with the two Mels.

The Guardian - Music

Not compared to their Russian neighbours, with their overpaid nannies.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We see them as very good neighbours, with whom we work closely," he says.

The Guardian

A dispute has broken out between neighbours with an improbable number of celebrity connections.

The Times

When they are French-speaking neighbours with a penchant for moules and frites, it seems.

The Guardian

Initially, the city's "Aryan" population celebrate the departure of their Jewish neighbours with fireworks.

The Guardian

Carraway soon discovers that he is next-door neighbours with the mysterious and elusive Gatsby.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when choosing "neighbours with". It works well when describing interactions or relationships shaped by proximity.

Common error

Avoid using "neighbours with" when simply indicating physical location. Use "next to" or "adjacent to" for purely spatial relationships without implying interaction. For example, say "The house is next to the park", not "The house is neighbours with the park" if there's no implied relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "neighbours with" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase indicating a relationship established by close proximity. It modifies nouns or pronouns, specifying the nature of their adjacency, often suggesting interaction or shared characteristics. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

12%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "neighbours with" is a prepositional phrase denoting a relationship based on physical proximity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in News & Media. The phrase implies more than mere adjacency; it suggests a connection or interaction shaped by being neighbours. When writing, remember to reserve "neighbours with" for contexts where the proximity influences the relationship, avoiding its use when simply indicating location. Alternatives include phrases like "adjacent to" or "living near", but these lack the relational nuance of "neighbours with". While authoritative, sources like The Guardian and The Economist frequently employ the phrase, indicating its acceptance in standard English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

residing nearby

Focuses on the act of living close, suitable for describing residential situations.

living near

Simple expression of physical closeness in residence.

close to

A general term for being near, lacking the specific implication of neighborliness.

adjacent to

Focuses on physical proximity, omitting the relational aspect.

in the neighborhood of

Refers to a general area or community, less precise about direct adjacency.

sharing boundaries with

Highlights the shared border or boundary between entities.

bordering

Highlights the shared boundary or border.

in proximity to

Emphasizes the closeness in distance, often in a formal tone.

alongside

Implies being side-by-side, not necessarily residential.

in the vicinity of

Similar to "in proximity to" but can refer to a larger area.

FAQs

How can I use "neighbours with" in a sentence?

Use "neighbours with" to describe entities sharing a border or close proximity, often implying interaction or relationship. For example, "Our country is "neighbours with" Canada".

What's a good alternative to "neighbours with"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "adjacent to", "living near", or "sharing boundaries with".

Is it correct to say "neighbour to" instead of "neighbours with"?

While "neighbour to" is grammatically correct, "neighbours with" emphasizes a shared relationship or interaction arising from proximity. "Neighbour to" simply indicates nearness.

How does the meaning of "neighbours with" differ from "in proximity to"?

"Neighbours with" suggests a closer, often interactive relationship due to shared borders or residence. "In proximity to" simply indicates nearness without implying a relationship.