Contiguous vs Adjacent: When To Use Each One In Writing

Are you confused about the difference between the words contiguous and adjacent? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. While these two words are often used interchangeably, they actually have slightly different meanings. Let’s take a closer look.

Contiguous and adjacent are both used to describe things that are next to each other. However, contiguous specifically refers to things that share a common border or touch each other, while adjacent simply means things that are nearby or close in proximity.

For example, if two countries share a border, they are contiguous. If two buildings are next to each other but don’t actually touch, they are adjacent.

Now that we’ve established the difference between these two words, let’s dive deeper into how they are used in various contexts.

Define Contiguous

Contiguous refers to things that are touching or in direct contact with each other, without any gaps or interruptions in between. This term is often used in geography to describe areas that share a common border or boundary, such as contiguous states or countries. In mathematics, contiguous is used to describe a sequence of numbers that are adjacent to each other.

For example, if we have a series of numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and we want to find the contiguous set of numbers between 3 and 11, we would include all the numbers between them: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11.

Define Adjacent

Adjacent refers to things that are next to each other, but not necessarily touching or in direct contact. This term is often used in geometry to describe angles or sides of a shape that are next to each other, but do not overlap. In everyday language, adjacent is used to describe things that are close together or nearby, but not necessarily touching.

For example, if we have a row of houses on a street, the houses next to each other are adjacent. However, if there is a park or empty lot between two houses, they are not contiguous, but they are still adjacent.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the right words in a sentence can make all the difference in conveying the intended meaning. Two words that are often used interchangeably, but have distinct meanings, are contiguous and adjacent. Understanding the difference between these words can help you use them correctly in your writing.

How To Use Contiguous In A Sentence

The word contiguous refers to things that are touching or sharing a common border. It is often used to describe geographic areas or physical objects that are adjacent to each other. Here are some examples of how to use contiguous in a sentence:

• The United States and Canada share a contiguous border.
• The hotel rooms on this floor are all contiguous.
• The contiguous counties experienced similar weather patterns.

When using contiguous in a sentence, it is important to remember that the things being described must be touching or sharing a border. Using contiguous to describe things that are not physically connected can lead to confusion or misinterpretation.

How To Use Adjacent In A Sentence

The word adjacent also refers to things that are next to each other, but with one key difference: adjacent things do not have to be touching or sharing a border. Here are some examples of how to use adjacent in a sentence:

• The parking lot is adjacent to the office building.
• The two houses are adjacent, but not connected.
• The new store is located adjacent to the existing shopping center.

When using adjacent in a sentence, it is important to remember that the things being described do not have to be touching or sharing a border. Using adjacent to describe things that are physically connected can also lead to confusion or misinterpretation.

More Examples Of Contiguous & Adjacent Used In Sentences

In order to fully understand the difference between contiguous and adjacent, it’s important to see them used in context. Here are some examples of how these two words can be used in sentences:

Examples Of Using Contiguous In A Sentence

• The two buildings are contiguous, sharing a common wall.
• The contiguous states of the US are all located within North America.
• The park is made up of contiguous parcels of land.
• The artist created a mural on the contiguous walls of the gallery.
• The company owns contiguous properties along the riverfront.
• The contiguous rooms in the hotel can be combined to create a suite.
• The farmer’s fields are all contiguous, making it easy to move equipment between them.
• The city’s plan is to create a contiguous bike path throughout the downtown area.
• The developer plans to build a contiguous shopping center on the site.
• The architect designed the house with a contiguous living and dining area.

Examples Of Using Adjacent In A Sentence

• The house next door is adjacent to ours.
• The two classrooms are adjacent, with a door connecting them.
• The hotel rooms are all adjacent to the pool area.
• The new office building will be adjacent to the existing one.
• The two parks are adjacent, separated only by a small stream.
• The two countries are adjacent, sharing a long border.
• The two stores are adjacent in the mall, making it easy to shop at both.
• The restaurant is adjacent to the movie theater, making it convenient for dinner and a movie.
• The two houses are adjacent, but they have different owners.
• The two fields are adjacent, but they are used for different crops.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to the usage of contiguous and adjacent, people often make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, these two words have different meanings and should be used in the appropriate context. Here are some of the common mistakes people make and why they are incorrect:

Using Contiguous When Adjacent Is Appropriate

One of the common mistakes people make is using contiguous when they actually mean adjacent. Contiguous means sharing a common border or touching, while adjacent means next to or adjoining something else. For example, if two buildings share a wall, they are contiguous. If two buildings are next to each other but don’t share a wall, they are adjacent.

Using Adjacent When Contiguous Is Appropriate

On the other hand, people also make the mistake of using adjacent when they mean contiguous. This happens when there is a misunderstanding of the difference between the two words. For example, if two pieces of land share a common boundary, they are contiguous. If two pieces of land are next to each other but don’t share a boundary, they are adjacent.

Offering Tips To Avoid Confusion

To avoid making these mistakes in the future, it’s important to understand the difference between contiguous and adjacent. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Use contiguous when referring to things that are physically touching or sharing a common border.
• Use adjacent when referring to things that are next to each other but not touching or sharing a common border.
• If you’re unsure which word to use, consult a dictionary or thesaurus to ensure you’re using the right word in the right context.

By being mindful of the differences between contiguous and adjacent and following these tips, you can avoid making these common mistakes and improve your writing and communication skills.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between the terms contiguous and adjacent, context is key. Depending on the situation, one term may be more appropriate than the other. Let’s take a closer look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between contiguous and adjacent might change.

Context Example 1: Geography

In geography, the terms contiguous and adjacent are often used to describe the relationship between two geographic areas. Contiguous refers to areas that share a common border or are touching, while adjacent refers to areas that are nearby or next to each other.

For example, the United States is contiguous with Canada, as they share a border. However, Mexico is adjacent to the United States, as they do not share a common border. In this context, the choice between contiguous and adjacent is clear and depends on the physical relationship between the two areas.

Context Example 2: Data Analysis

In data analysis, the terms contiguous and adjacent are often used to describe sets of data. Contiguous data refers to data that is connected or touching, while adjacent data refers to data that is next to each other but may not be connected.

For example, in a spreadsheet, a contiguous range of cells would be a block of cells that are touching or adjacent to each other. An adjacent range of cells, on the other hand, could be two separate blocks of cells that are next to each other but not touching. In this context, the choice between contiguous and adjacent depends on the specific data being analyzed and the desired outcome.

Context Example 3: Programming

In programming, the terms contiguous and adjacent are often used to describe memory allocation. Contiguous memory allocation refers to the allocation of a block of memory that is contiguous or touching, while adjacent memory allocation refers to the allocation of separate blocks of memory that are next to each other.

For example, in C programming, an array is a contiguous block of memory that is allocated for storing a set of data. However, in some cases, it may be more efficient to use adjacent memory allocation, such as when allocating memory for a linked list. In this context, the choice between contiguous and adjacent depends on the specific programming language being used and the requirements of the program.

As we can see, the choice between contiguous and adjacent depends on the context in which they are used. Whether it’s geography, data analysis, or programming, understanding the context is crucial in making the right choice. By choosing the appropriate term, we can ensure clear communication and avoid confusion.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using contiguous and adjacent are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions to keep in mind. Below are some cases where the rules might not apply:

1. Non-physical Objects

When referring to non-physical objects, such as numbers or ideas, the terms contiguous and adjacent may not be applicable. For example, when discussing a series of numbers, it may be more appropriate to use the term consecutive instead of contiguous or adjacent.

Example: The consecutive numbers from 1 to 10 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.

2. Discrete Objects

Contiguous and adjacent are typically used to describe objects that are physically connected or touching. However, in some cases, discrete objects may be considered adjacent if they are close together or in close proximity.

Example: In a game of chess, the bishop and knight are considered adjacent pieces, even though they are not physically connected.

3. Geographical Exceptions

While contiguous is commonly used to describe objects that share a border or touch each other, there are some geographical exceptions where the term may not apply. For example, Alaska is considered adjacent to Canada, even though they do not share a physical border.

Example: Alaska and Canada are adjacent countries, despite not sharing a physical border.

Practice Exercises

Now that we have explored the differences between contiguous and adjacent, it is time to put your knowledge to the test. Below are some practice exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these terms in sentences.

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The two houses were ____________ to each other.
2. The ____________ states share a border.
3. The ____________ pages in the book were torn out.
4. The ____________ trees in the forest were all the same species.

Answer key:

1. The two houses were adjacent to each other.
2. The contiguous states share a border.
3. The contiguous pages in the book were torn out.
4. The contiguous trees in the forest were all the same species.

Exercise 2: Identify The Term

Read the sentence and identify whether the term used is contiguous or adjacent.

1. The two buildings were connected by a ____________ wall.
2. The ____________ pages in the book were all about the same topic.
3. The ____________ states share a common language.
4. The ____________ trees in the orchard were all different species.

Answer key:

1. The two buildings were connected by an adjacent wall.
2. The contiguous pages in the book were all about the same topic.
3. The contiguous states share a common language.
4. The contiguous trees in the orchard were all different species.

These exercises should help you to improve your understanding and use of contiguous and adjacent in sentences. Remember to pay attention to the context in which these terms are used to ensure that you are using them correctly.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between contiguous and adjacent, it is clear that these two terms cannot be used interchangeably. Contiguous refers to things that are touching or in close proximity, while adjacent refers to things that are nearby or next to each other.

It is important to use these terms correctly in order to effectively communicate ideas and avoid confusion. Whether you are writing a formal report or simply having a conversation, understanding the nuances of language can greatly enhance your communication skills.

Key Takeaways

• Contiguous refers to things that are touching or in close proximity.
• Adjacent refers to things that are nearby or next to each other.
• It is important to use these terms correctly in order to effectively communicate ideas and avoid confusion.

Overall, the differences between contiguous and adjacent may seem small, but they can have a big impact on the clarity of your communication. By continuing to learn about grammar and language use, you can improve your writing and speaking skills and become a more effective communicator.