at its borders

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at its borders" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is located or occurring at the edges or limits of a particular area or region. Example: "The wildlife conservation efforts are most effective at its borders, where human activity is minimal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It turned away too many Jewish would-be refugees at its borders; indeed, it has only just got around to pardoning those Swiss citizens who illegally helped Jews to enter the country during the Nazi period.

The Economist

British and French governments should promote a European army with real capacity, able to defend European security at its borders whenever it is threatened.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yudin and colleagues (1989) reported that the cervical mucus architecture is more compact at its borders making it more challenging for the sperm (Yudin et al., 1989).

Human Reproduction Update

On Thursday, Denmark provoked criticism and possible legal proceedings when it said it would reintroduce controls at its borders with Germany and Sweden, warning of crime spilling across.

The New York Times

But today Russia has neighbors that have such missiles directed at its borders; for understandable reasons, it wants to renegotiate aspects of this treaty.

The New York Times

Surveying the state of cancer medicine as it was in 2005, Mukherjee concludes, "The empire of cancer was still indubitably vast…but it was losing power, fraying at its borders".

The New Yorker

Even if India could stave off the worst influences of the global economic meltdown, it still could not halt at its borders the spread of the newest pandemic of flu virus, the H1N1.

Huffington Post

Denmark said it planned to restart passport checks at its borders, and the refugees fleeing unrest in North Africa set off a dispute between France and Italy this year.

The New York Times

If Australia wants to reduce crystal meth supply, it might try doing better work at its borders and in cooperation with governments right across the Asia-Pacific.

Vice

Although Sweden offers permanent residence to Syrians arriving at its borders, strong border patrols throughout Europe made it unimaginable to help anyone get there from Italy, until Gabriele's idea occurred.  .

Vice

All the stories about the EU's failure to deal with migrants arriving at its borders play into that.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing geopolitical issues, use "at its borders" to refer to the physical boundaries of a country or region, especially when emphasizing security or control.

Common error

Avoid using "at its borders" when referring to abstract boundaries or limits; it's best suited for physical or geographical contexts. Use alternative phrases like "within its scope" or "subject to its limitations" for abstract concepts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at its borders" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a noun or verb to indicate location or action occurring at the boundary of something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at its borders" is a grammatically correct and very common prepositional phrase used to denote the location of something at the edge of a defined area. Ludwig AI analysis, drawn from numerous examples across reputable sources, confirms its suitability for describing activities, security measures, or geographical features related to boundaries. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to reserve it for contexts involving physical or clearly defined limits, using alternative expressions for abstract boundaries. Its widespread use across news media, scientific literature, and academic writing reflects its versatility and acceptance in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on its boundary

Replaces "borders" with a singular form, focusing on a single line of demarcation.

at its periphery

Uses "periphery" to emphasize the outer limits or edges of a region or area.

along its frontier

Employs "frontier" to suggest a less defined or more dynamic border area.

on its confines

Uses "confines" to indicate the limits or boundaries that restrict or enclose something.

at its outer limits

Replaces "borders" with "outer limits", highlighting the furthest extent.

in its border region

Adds "region" to specify the area near the border.

adjacent to its limits

Uses "adjacent" to denote proximity to the boundary.

on the edge of its territory

Specifies the area as the "edge of its territory", which is more precise in a geographical context.

bordering its expanse

Implies the area touching or surrounding its reach or scope.

around its perimeter

Suggests the whole area surrounding the entity is a border.

FAQs

How can I use "at its borders" in a sentence?

You can use "at its borders" to describe activities, controls, or features located at the edge of a country or region. For example, "The customs officials are vigilant "at its borders" to prevent smuggling".

What are some alternatives to "at its borders"?

Alternatives include phrases like "on its boundary", "along its frontier", or "at its periphery", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "in its borders" instead of "at its borders"?

While "within its borders" refers to areas inside a country or region, "at its borders" specifies the boundary line itself. The choice depends on whether you're discussing internal matters or border-related activities.

What's the difference between "at its borders" and "along its borders"?

"At its borders" focuses on a specific point or area where the border exists, while "along its borders" implies a more extended or continuous presence or activity that stretches the length of the border.