the same neighbor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the same neighbor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific neighbor that has already been mentioned or is known in the context of the conversation. Example: "I spoke to the same neighbor who helped me last week about the noise issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

It was unclear if Sunday's alleged incident involved the same neighbor.

The Washington Post

I've had the same neighbor, John Berman, for more than 20 years.

The New York Times

According to Holt-Colden, the same neighbor has called police in the past — in December, the neighbor reported a snowball fight between Holt-Colden's children.

The Washington Post

Today, the same neighbor with the same cancer would almost certainly die the same way — unless he lived in tiny Kerala State, where Dr. Rajagopal runs his Pallium India clinic here in the capital.

The New York Times - Health

The same neighbor recalled that the boy didn't resemble his father, a large, burly man who went to work at the age of ten and stayed in the mines until his mid-sixties.

The New Yorker

Between five-fifteen and five-thirty, he phoned the same neighbor he'd seen earlier and, after apologizing for the imposition, asked him to tell Dorothy that he was going to end it all.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Our study shows that although ENCCs generally do not maintain the same neighbors for long, there are strong transient adhesive interactions between neighboring ENCCs.

BMC Biology

In the elevator, he greets some of the same neighbors.

The New York Times

A homogeneous set is a non-trivial module of a graph, i.e., a non-unitary, proper subset H of a graph's vertices such that all vertices in H have the same neighbors outside H.

Information Processing Letters

Some of the same neighbors who signed the petition against the building are now saying that it will improve property values, and they're hoping the developer rents one of the storefronts to a decent restaurant.

The New York Times - Magazine

Moreover, when wrong matches have the same neighbors, they are excluded as correct matched pairs.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the same neighbor", ensure the context clearly establishes which neighbor you are referring to, avoiding ambiguity. If necessary, briefly reiterate identifying details.

Common error

Avoid using "the same neighbor" if the neighbor hasn't been explicitly mentioned or is not easily identifiable within the context. This can lead to confusion for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the same neighbor" functions as a determiner phrase specifying a particular neighbor that has been previously identified or is understood within the given context. It modifies a noun, providing additional information about which neighbor is being referenced.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the same neighbor" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, employed to refer back to a previously mentioned or understood neighbor. It finds common use in news reporting and scientific articles, and it maintains a neutral register, fitting comfortably in both formal and informal communications. When using "the same neighbor", ensure clarity by making sure the reference is obvious to your audience. If there is risk of ambiguity, provide context. Related phrases, such as "the aforementioned neighbor", offer alternative ways to express the same concept, tailored to different levels of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the aforementioned neighbor

Uses a more formal term for previously mentioned, suitable for formal contexts.

the previously mentioned neighbor

Specifies that the neighbor was mentioned before, adding clarity.

that same neighbor again

Adds emphasis on repetition of interaction or situation.

the neighbor in question

Highlights that this neighbor is specifically under discussion.

the recurring neighbor

Emphasizes the repetitive nature of interactions with the neighbor.

the very same neighbor

Adds intensity to the sameness of the neighbor.

the neighbor we're talking about

Clarifies which neighbor is being referred to in a conversational manner.

the neighbor as before

More concise and slightly archaic way to denote the same neighbor.

identical neighbor

Directly states that it's the same exact neighbor, though less common usage.

the familiar neighbor

Highlights the speaker's familiarity with the neighbor, implying repetition.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "the same neighbor" to sound more formal?

You could use phrases like "the aforementioned neighbor" or "the previously mentioned neighbor" for a more formal tone.

When should I use "the same neighbor" instead of just "the neighbor"?

Use "the same neighbor" when you need to emphasize that you're referring to a specific neighbor who has already been discussed or is known in the context. Otherwise, "the neighbor" may suffice.

What's a more casual way to say "the same neighbor"?

Informally, you might say something like "that same neighbor again" to emphasize the repetition or familiarity.

Is there a difference between "the same neighbor" and "identical neighbor"?

While both imply it's the same person, "the same neighbor" is more commonly used. "identical neighbor" is less frequent and might sound slightly unusual in everyday conversation.