collocation · neutral
inner city
UK/ˌɪn.ə ˈsɪt.i/US/ˌɪn.ər ˈsɪt.i/IN·ner CIT·y
the central area of a city, often older and sometimes associated with social problems
Examples
“Many small businesses in the inner city depend on local customers.”
“There are several community centres that help young people in the inner city.”
“Housing costs in the inner city have been rising steadily.”
Band 8 sentence
“Policies targeting the inner city must balance economic investment with measures to protect vulnerable residents.”
Collocations
- inner-city area
- inner-city problems
Word family
Common mistakes
inner-city area→inner city
inside city→inner city
Say it for a higher band
5downtown→6centre of the city→7+inner city
Synonyms
city centre
Easily confused
city centre
“While the city centre hosts shops and offices, the inner city faces housing and social challenges.”
Related words
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In City & Urban life
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