the vicinity of

USAGE SUMMARY

"the vicinity of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to refer to the area surrounding a place. For example, "The store is located in the vicinity of the post office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Norteño is country music from the vicinity of the border.

The New Yorker

It was in the vicinity of An Najaf.

The New York Times

Isla and Rain hover in the vicinity of actual meaning.

The New York Times - Food

"A young lady enters the vicinity of a dark castle.

The New Yorker

Eight of their responses fell in the vicinity of "maybe".

The New York Times

fastball in the vicinity of the batter's jaw.

The New York Times - Sports

In 1968, the family returned to the vicinity of Washington.

The New Yorker

Mezcal comes from the vicinity of Oaxaca in southern Mexico.

The New York Times - Food

The blast spread panic in the vicinity of the explosion.

The New York Times

And, increasingly, he finds this resistance lurking in the vicinity of Mallarmé's tomb.

The Guardian - Books

Exploration of several in the vicinity of Cobá has yielded evidence of early human occupation.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the vicinity of" when you want to indicate a general area around a specific location, without necessarily implying direct adjacency.

Common error

Avoid using "the vicinity of" in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "near" or "around" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the vicinity of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase. It modifies nouns or pronouns, indicating location or proximity. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in specifying a general area around a particular place or event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

36%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the vicinity of" is a prepositional phrase that indicates the area surrounding a specific location. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used. It serves to provide context about location without implying direct adjacency. It's considered to be of neutral register, common in News & Media and Science. Alternatives include "nearby" or "close to", but avoid using it in informal contexts where simpler words would suffice. Use "the vicinity of" to enhance clarity when providing a general location reference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in close proximity to

More formal and emphasizes nearness.

nearby

More concise and informal.

in the neighborhood of

Similar meaning, but often used for residential areas or estimations.

around

More general and less precise.

close to

Simple and direct, but less formal.

in the area of

Emphasizes a general region rather than precise location.

in the region of

Similar to "in the area of", often used for geographical locations or estimations.

adjacent to

Indicates direct bordering or touching.

surrounding

Emphasizes the area that encircles something.

in the environs of

More formal and literary.

FAQs

How can I use "the vicinity of" in a sentence?

You can use "the vicinity of" to indicate that something is located near a particular place. For example, "The restaurant is in the vicinity of the train station."

What are some alternatives to "the vicinity of"?

Alternatives include "nearby", "close to", "in the area of", or "around", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "in vicinity of" instead of "the vicinity of"?

No, the correct phrase is "the vicinity of". The definite article "the" is necessary to specify which vicinity you are referring to.

What's the difference between "the vicinity of" and "adjacent to"?

"The vicinity of" indicates a general area nearby, while "adjacent to" implies that something is directly next to or bordering something else. "Adjacent to" is more precise than "the vicinity of".