aboard the plane

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'aboard the plane' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a person being on an airplane. For example: The passengers were all aboard the plane, ready for takeoff.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All 228 people aboard the plane died.

The New York Times

All aboard the plane were Mexican citizens.

The New York Times

The mood aboard the plane was light.

The New York Times - Sports

All 29 people aboard the plane died.

The New York Times - Sports

All four people aboard the plane were killed.

The New York Times

A dog aboard the plane was also killed.

The New York Times

There were 193 Dutch citizens aboard the plane.

The Guardian

The 143 passengers aboard the plane had already escaped unharmed.

The New York Times

The crash killed all three aboard the plane.

The New York Times

He appeared in the famous photograph showing Johnson taking the oath of office aboard the plane.

The Washington Post

Those who donated could win a trip aboard the plane for a day of campaigning.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "aboard the plane" when specifying location or status of someone or something on an aircraft, particularly in news reports or formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "abroad" when you mean "aboard". "Abroad" refers to being in a foreign country, while "aboard" means being on a vehicle, like a plane.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "aboard the plane" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used as an adverbial to specify where someone or something is located, specifically on an aircraft. This is supported by Ludwig examples showcasing its use in describing passengers, crew, or cargo.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Huffington Post

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "aboard the plane" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase primarily functioning to indicate location on an aircraft. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's considered correct and usable in written English. The phrase is most commonly found in neutral contexts like news and media, where it's used to describe passengers, crew, or cargo. While highly frequent in these contexts, its usage is less common in more formal or scientific writing. It's important to differentiate "aboard the plane" from similar-sounding words like "abroad". When needing an alternative, consider phrases like "on the aircraft" or "inside the plane". In conclusion, "aboard the plane" is a clear and effective way to denote presence on an aircraft, particularly in descriptive or reporting contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on board the aircraft

Uses "on board" instead of "aboard", slightly more formal.

on the aircraft

This alternative is more general, referring to any part of the aircraft.

within the airplane

Synonymous, with a slightly more formal tone.

inside the plane

This alternative specifies the location as being within the plane's interior.

in the airplane

Uses "in" to denote being inside the aircraft.

flying in the plane

This emphasizes the action of flying.

traveling by plane

This focuses on the mode of transport rather than the specific location.

as a passenger on the plane

This highlights the role of being a passenger.

among the passengers

Focuses on being part of the passenger group.

being a flyer

Informal; indicates someone using the plane for a journey.

FAQs

How to use "aboard the plane" in a sentence?

You can use "aboard the plane" to describe the location or status of people or items. For example: "All passengers were safely "aboard the plane" before takeoff."

What can I say instead of "aboard the plane"?

You can use alternatives like "on the aircraft", "inside the plane", or "on board the aircraft depending on the context.

Which is correct, "aboard the plane" or "on the plane"?

"Aboard the plane" is more specific to the action of boarding and being on the plane during a flight. "On the plane" can be used more generally to refer to being physically present on the aircraft.

What's the difference between "aboard the plane" and "in the plane"?

"Aboard the plane" suggests a sense of travel or being part of the flight, while "in the plane" simply indicates a location within the aircraft.