a central station

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a central station" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a main hub or focal point, often in the context of transportation or communication systems. Example: "The city’s public transport system is well-organized, with a central station that connects all major train lines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

A central station should prove economically sound.

The New Yorker

Some cars are already communicating with a central station.

The New York Times

Minneapolis has also linked its security systems for all public lots to a central station.

The New York Times

1E KLAS A Central Station brasserie once restricted to first-class commuters, with Art Nouveau curlicues and a resident cockatoo.

The New York Times - Style

The cloud acts as a central station for files to be distributed, but they actually live on your machine, even when it's offline.

The New York Times

By pushing a button on a pendant, you connect to a home base station, which automatically alerts a central station that there's an emergency.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

In the green field design problem, the aim is to design a least cost fiber optical network that will provide high bandwidth Internet access from a given central station to a set of aggregated demand nodes.

Omega

As with the rest of the Hudson Line, the Scarborough station became a Penn Central station once the New York Central and Pennsylvania Railroads merged in 1968.

Wikipedia

He joins the director Walter Salles for a commentary on "Central Station," about a Rio de Janeiro woman (Fernanda Montenegro) who takes a 9-year-old boy under her wing.

The New York Times - Arts

I went to visit an out-of-town friend at a hotel by Grand Central Station, and was followed by a hotel dick to his floor.

Huffington Post

Oh, mama, mama, mama I just shot a man down In central station In front of a big ol' crowd.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing transportation networks or emergency response systems, use "a central station" to clearly indicate a main operational center. Ensure clarity by specifying its function (e.g., "a central monitoring station").

Common error

Avoid using "a central station" when referring to something that is merely located in the center of a place; instead, ensure it serves as a hub or control point for a larger system or network.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a central station" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and examples demonstrate its role in identifying key hubs for various activities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a central station" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote a primary hub or focal point, especially in the context of transportation, communication, or emergency response systems. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability. While its frequency is uncommon, it appears across diverse sources like news media, scientific literature, and encyclopedias. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to use the term when referring to a hub with centralized functions, not merely a location in the center of an area.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a central hub

Highlights the central function of the area.

a main terminal

Highlights the main function of the area.

a main hub

Focuses on the hub aspect, emphasizing the connectivity and centrality but is more generic.

a primary depot

Replaces "station" with "depot", specifying it as a main storage or distribution point.

a key terminal

Emphasizes the role as an endpoint or connection point, typically in transportation.

a central location

Emphasizes the position more than the function.

a coordinating center

Shifts the focus to the activity of coordination rather than the physical location.

a communications hub

Specifies the station's function as being related to communications.

a nerve center

Implies that the location is vital for command or activity.

a focal point

Emphasizes the location as the center of attention or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "a central station" in a sentence?

You can use "a central station" to describe a main facility that coordinates activities, such as "The city's ambulance service operates from "a central station" near the hospital."

What are some alternatives to "a central station"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a main hub", "a key terminal", or "a coordinating center".

What does "a central station" typically refer to?

"A central station" usually refers to a main location or facility that serves as a hub for activities, such as transportation, communication, or emergency services. It is often the primary point of coordination for a broader network.

Is it correct to use "a central station" to describe any building in the center of town?

Not necessarily. While a building may be centrally located, "a central station" implies it functions as a main hub or control point for a system or network, not just its physical location.