vicinity

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "vicinity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this word when referring to the general area near a particular location. For example, "We went for a walk in the vicinity of our house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By owning your own property, you get a say in planning law too – your objection to that new tower block counts for far more than the indirect, dissipated unease of all the people hunting desperately for somewhere affordable in the vague vicinity of their work.

The Guardian - Opinion

Five minutes later Vaclik was thankful that no Real player was in the vicinity after he fumbled a Ronaldo effort.

The Guardian - Sport

"In particular, we want to speak to anyone who noticed anything suspicious in the vicinity of Andrews Court, Rickards Street, where the body was found, and also to anyone who may have seen something suspicious near the rugby ground on Sardis Road in the past couple of days.

The Guardian

This is due to a police investigation into a major incident in the vicinity.

The Guardian

And if you do happen to get to the top of the road without succumbing, then there are another seven places to buy a cup in and around the immediate vicinity of the station itself.

The Guardian

The area was desolate and unlit when Rhodes first moved in 20 years ago, and things in the immediate vicinity haven't changed much since 1997, he says.

The Guardian

Related: Adam Gadahn: California death metal fan who rose quickly in al-Qaida's ranks A second drone strike in January, which killed Adam Gadahn, another American who the US says had become an al-Qaida fighter, was also targeted at terrorist compound, without knowledge of who specifically was in the vicinity.

The Guardian

The move, arranged by Pope Francis's almoner, follows a plan unveiled last year to install toilets and showers for the homeless in a renovated area in the vicinity of St Peter's Square.

The Guardian

Even so, there was so much firing going on in the vicinity that a stray bullet could definitely have entered".

The Guardian

Aid to countries in Asia has been cut in the vicinity of 40%, with the exceptions of Cambodia, with which Australia has a deal to resettle refugees intercepted in Australian waters, and Nepal, recently hit by a devastating earthquake.

The Guardian

"This must have been a very frightening experience for everyone caught up in this, especially as it's reported that a number of young children were in the vicinity at the time of the shooting," she said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vicinity" to refer to a general area or region near a specific location, especially when the precise location is not crucial. For example, "The best restaurants are in the vicinity of the train station."

Common error

Avoid using "vicinity" when referring to an exact location; it suggests a general area rather than a precise point. For instance, don't say "The store is in the vicinity of 123 Main Street" when you can specify the exact address.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "vicinity" is as a noun, typically used as part of a prepositional phrase (e.g., "in the vicinity of"). It designates a region or area near a particular place, as evidenced by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vicinity" is a versatile noun used to describe the area near a particular location. Ludwig AI affirms that it follows standard grammar rules and is appropriate for use in written English. While most common in news and media contexts, it is also suitable for formal and business settings. To enhance clarity, avoid using "vicinity" when pinpointing exact locations; instead, opt for alternatives like "nearby" or "in the area" where appropriate. Understanding these nuances will help you effectively integrate the word "vicinity" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in close proximity

Highlights the physical closeness and immediate surroundings.

nearby

A simple term indicating physical closeness without further details.

in the surrounding area

Focuses on the broader region that encompasses a specific point.

in the neighborhood

Emphasizes the surrounding community or district rather than just physical closeness.

in the immediate environment

Highlights the direct surroundings and nearby conditions.

in the neighborhood

Implies that something is situated within a residential area.

in the locality

Stresses the specific area or district where something is situated.

in the adjacent region

Implies a bordering or neighboring area rather than just proximity.

in the general area

Suggests a non-specific, broader location.

around

A more casual way to express being near or surrounding a point.

FAQs

How can I use "vicinity" in a sentence?

Use "vicinity" to indicate that something is located near a specific place, without specifying the exact location. For instance, "There are several shops in the vicinity of the park."

What's a good alternative to using "vicinity"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "nearby", "close to", or "in the area".

Is it correct to say 'in close vicinity'?

While commonly used, "in close vicinity" is somewhat redundant since "vicinity" already implies nearness. A more concise way to express the same idea is "in close proximity" or simply "in the vicinity".

What is the difference between "vicinity" and "environment"?

"Vicinity" refers to the area surrounding a particular place, while "environment" encompasses all the external conditions and factors affecting organisms, including physical, chemical, and biotic elements. Therefore, "environment" is related to the surrounding conditions, while "vicinity" indicates proximity.