astern of

USAGE SUMMARY

"astern of" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe the position or location of something behind or towards the rear of something else, especially in nautical or maritime contexts. For example, "The ship sailed astern of the lighthouse, following the designated shipping lane." This sentence means that the ship was sailing behind the lighthouse, possibly in order to avoid running aground or to stay on course. Another example could be, "The kayaker paddled astern of the larger boat, trying to keep up with the group." This means that the kayaker was paddling behind the larger boat, possibly in an attempt to stay close to the others in their group. In both cases, "astern of" is used to indicate a position behind or towards the rear of something else. It is not commonly used in everyday speech but may be more common in nautical or formal writing.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Northstar's berth was directly astern of Tyco.

The New York Times - Sports

Georgetown finished third, 12 seconds astern of Syracuse, with Boston College last in the four-boat final.

The New York Times - Sports

The finish line will be the French port of Marseille, roughly 600 miles astern of our boat.

The New York Times - Sports

In that instant, however, Brad was smartly bearing away to cut astern of a close-hauled Mercury with another urchin in command.

The New York Times - Sports

Britain, which ended a 15-year absence from the America's Cup, finished only four boat lengths astern of the far more experienced Conner team.

The New York Times - Sports

Despite being two-thirds the size of the black behemoth, Giacomo was a mere two hours astern of Loyal over the 628 nautical mile course.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

While being passed astern one of the boats broke the painter and became adrift.

Wikipedia

The Board of Inspection was less pleased with the wing turrets, stating that "while theoretically the Rivadavia has an ahead and astern fire of six guns, this is not so in reality, as it is almost certain that the blast from the waist turrets would dish in the smokepipes and damage the uptakes".

Wikipedia

If observations for this study had been made in regions where there was a greater frequency of interactions between deep diving seabird species and albatrosses, it would not have been possible to obtain reliable estimates of bird captures during setting because seabird capture events would have occurred at a greater distance astern, potentially outside of the researcher's field of vision.

Plosone

They were pulled apart by a combination of the carrier's turbines at full speed astern and blowing of ballast tanks on board Corfu to lighten that ship forward.

Wikipedia

The III Battle Squadron was the first of three battleship units; directly astern were the s of the VI Division, III Battle Squadron.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "astern of" primarily in nautical contexts or when aiming for a more formal tone. In general writing, consider using "behind" or "at the rear of" for broader applicability.

Common error

Avoid using "astern of" in everyday situations where simpler alternatives like "behind" are more appropriate. Using it excessively can sound affected or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "astern of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a position or location relative to something else. It specifies that the subject is located behind or toward the rear of the object it modifies. As Ludwig AI points out, it's common in nautical contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

39%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "astern of" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate a position behind something, primarily in nautical or formal contexts. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's less common in everyday language, where simpler alternatives like "behind" are often preferred. Its usage is most frequent in news and media and encyclopedic content. Therefore, when writing, consider your audience and the context to determine whether "astern of" is the most appropriate and natural choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

behind

A more common and general term for being at the back of something.

aft of

Another nautical term, synonymous but less common.

at the rear of

A more formal and less nautical way to say behind.

at the back of

A more literal and less specialized alternative.

to the rear of

Similar to "at the rear of" but slightly more directional.

in the wake of

Specifically refers to following directly behind something moving, particularly a ship.

in rear of

A slightly more formal alternative, though less common.

following

A simple and direct way to express being behind.

after

A concise way of indicating a position following something.

trailing

Suggests a slower pace or lagging behind.

FAQs

How can I use "astern of" in a sentence?

Use "astern of" to describe something positioned behind something else, particularly in nautical or formal settings. For example, "The smaller boat remained "behind" the yacht" or "The supply ship sailed "at the rear of" the convoy".

What's the difference between "astern of" and "behind"?

"Astern of" is typically used in nautical contexts to indicate something is at the rear of a vessel or formation. "Behind" is a more general term and can be used in a wider range of situations.

Which is correct, "astern of" or "in front of"?

Both are correct, but they describe opposite positions. "Astern of" means behind, while "in front of" means ahead.

What can I say instead of "astern of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like ""behind"", ""at the rear of"", or "in the wake of".