are bordered by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are bordered by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is surrounded or enclosed by another object or area. Example: "The garden is bordered by a beautiful white picket fence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Towpaths are bordered by floating pennywort weed.

The Guardian - Travel

The carugi are bordered by buildings dense as a palimpsest.

The New York Times - Travel

There is skiing, paragliding, and we are bordered by the Rhine River.

The New York Times

The streets of Stockholm are bordered by thin lines of dirty snow.

The Guardian - Film

The garden's main axes are bordered by four-foot beds planted according to specific color themes.

The New York Times

They are bordered by lush courtyards and cobblestone streets bearing names of their real-world counterparts.

The New York Times - Travel

The Low Countries are bordered by Germany to the east and France to the south.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Chinese provinces of Jilin and Liaoning are bordered by the river.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Most of the hills and rivers are bordered by dissected ravine belts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Those aforementioned sections of "untitled 03" are bordered by nothing more than shouted questions from Lamar's background singers.

The New Yorker

I begin in Omeo, and struggle up the steep first five kilometres, which are bordered by pastoral farmland.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are bordered by" when describing geographical locations, property lines, or any area where a clear boundary exists. This phrase is especially useful when detailing maps or land descriptions.

Common error

Avoid confusing "bordered", which describes a boundary, with "boarded", which means to get on a vehicle or to cover something with boards. For example, say "The garden is bordered by a fence", not "The garden is boarded by a fence".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are bordered by" functions as a verb phrase that describes the relationship between a subject and its boundaries or edges. It indicates what elements define the limits of the subject. Ludwig AI confirms this is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

27%

Encyclopedias

23%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are bordered by" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to describe the boundaries or edges of a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and Ludwig's examples demonstrate its frequent use across diverse contexts, including science, news, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, be mindful of the distinction between "bordered" and "boarded", and consider alternatives like "are surrounded by" or "are bounded by" depending on the intended meaning. Remember, "are bordered by" implies a boundary along an edge, making it useful for describing geographical locations, property lines, and defined areas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are bounded by

Shares the concept of defining limits, but uses "bounded" instead of "bordered", implying mathematical or legal limits.

are surrounded by

Indicates complete enclosure rather than just adjacency.

are delineated by

More formal, suggesting a clear, often marked boundary.

have borders with

Rephrasing that emphasizes the act of possessing shared borders.

are enclosed by

Similar to surrounded but can imply a more defined or structured boundary.

are confined by

Implies restriction within certain limits, more than just bordering.

are edged with

Suggests a decorative or superficial boundary.

are fringed with

Suggests a light or delicate bordering.

are adjacent to

Focuses on nearness rather than a defined boundary.

adjoin

Single verb form indicating shared boundary; more concise.

FAQs

How do I use "are bordered by" in a sentence?

Use "are bordered by" to describe something that has a boundary or edge defined by something else. For example, "The park is bordered by tall trees" or "The country is bordered by the sea".

What's the difference between "are bordered by" and "are surrounded by"?

"Are bordered by" implies a boundary along an edge, while "are surrounded by" implies enclosure on all sides. A garden might be bordered by a fence on one side, but surrounded by walls on all sides.

What can I say instead of "are bordered by"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "are bounded by", "are adjacent to", or "have borders with". The choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "is bordered by" or "are bordered by"?

Use "is bordered by" for singular subjects (e.g., "The lake is bordered by trees"), and "are bordered by" for plural subjects (e.g., "The fields are bordered by hedges"). The correct form depends on subject-verb agreement.