at a bottle of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a bottle of" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It is not usable in any context as it stands, as it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "I was looking at a bottle of wine on the shelf."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"Look at a bottle of mussel meat!

The Guardian

Then he glanced at a bottle of water next to him on the stand.

The New York Times - Sports

"You can't look at a bottle of ethanol and tell how it's produced, whether it's sustainable.

The New York Times

But I still can't look at a bottle of Kingfisher without being transported back to that strange ritual in that wonderful country.

The Economist

"I was sitting there eating a salad," he said, "looking at a bottle of dressing with Paul Newman's face on it.

The New York Times

"After you do something like this, you never look at a bottle of wine the same way again," said Ms. Nedell, a retired optician from Lyndenhurst, N.Y., who discovered Sannino's make-your-own-wine program three years ago.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

During restoration efforts at the Nimrod Hut at Cape Evans, a bottle of whiskey was found under a floor board.

The New York Times

He is especially adept at balancing a bottle of milk on his head.

The New Yorker

The wines we tasted ran a gamut of styles and, at $8 to $250 a bottle, of prices.

The New York Times - Food

We have brought, symbolically at least, a bottle of wine to the party.

The Guardian - Travel

He said that at retail a bottle of oil or a jar of tuna might increase from $26 to $28.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an action related to a bottle, clarify the preposition. Instead of using the grammatically awkward phrase, specify whether you are "looking at a bottle", "drinking from a bottle", or "pouring something into a bottle".

Common error

Avoid using "at" when you mean "in" or "from". For example, instead of saying "He's at a bottle of wine", say "He's drinking from a bottle of wine" or "There is wine in a bottle."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a bottle of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, but it's often misused. Ludwig AI points out that it is not grammatically correct in many contexts. While examples exist, they often need a clearer verb to connect the subject and object.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at a bottle of" is often grammatically incorrect and requires careful attention to context. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase lacks clarity, and it's generally better to use more precise prepositions like "in", "from", or "next to", depending on the intended meaning. While common, especially in News & Media, clearer phrasing enhances communication. When considering authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, ensure the surrounding sentence structure properly supports the use of "at" to denote a relationship or direction relevant to the bottle.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Looking at a bottle

Focuses on the act of viewing a bottle, emphasizing visual attention.

Drinking from a bottle

Specifies the action of consuming something from a bottle.

With a bottle of

Indicates possession or accompaniment by a bottle of something.

Next to a bottle

Indicates proximity to a bottle, highlighting its location.

Inside a bottle of

Emphasizes containment within a bottle, often referring to the contents.

Near a bottle

Similar to 'next to', but implies a less precise location close to a bottle.

By a bottle

Implies being situated close to or in the vicinity of a bottle.

Poured into a bottle

Highlights the action of transferring a substance into a bottle.

Towards a bottle

Suggests movement or direction towards a bottle.

Holding a bottle

Focuses on the action of grasping or supporting a bottle.

FAQs

How to correct the phrase "at a bottle of"?

The phrase "at a bottle of" is generally incorrect. Depending on the intended meaning, you can use phrases like "looking at a bottle", "drinking from a bottle", or "with a bottle of".

What prepositions are commonly used with "bottle"?

Common prepositions used with "bottle" include "in" (e.g., in a bottle), "from" (e.g., drinking from a bottle), "at" (e.g., looking at a bottle), "with" (e.g., with a bottle of wine), and "near" (e.g., near a bottle). The choice depends on the context and intended meaning.

What can I say instead of "at a bottle of"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "at a bottle of" include "next to a bottle", "near a bottle", "with a bottle of", or rephrasing to clarify the action or state involving the bottle.

Is "at a bottle" grammatically correct?

The phrase "at a bottle" can be grammatically correct if used to indicate a location or direction, such as "He aimed the dart at a bottle." However, it needs a verb that connects the subject to the prepositional phrase.