at the alert

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the alert" is not commonly used in written English and may not be considered correct.
It could be used in contexts where one is being vigilant or watchful, but it is more typical to say "on alert." Example: "The security team was at the alert for any unusual activity in the area."

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Finally, the warning system combines the outputs provided by the decision algorithm and aggregates them at the Alert Zone level (Lagomarsino et al. 2013).

Geoenvironmental Disasters

There could be some fun to be had if you were able to wantonly hammer at the alert button and send the shop owner running for his cricket bat every five minutes, but the Internet Eyes system limits you to just a handful of alerts per month.

Vice

"While other warning officers understand that this is a drill, the warning officer at the alert origination terminal claimed to believe, in a written statement provided to HIEMA, that this was a real emergency, not a drill," according to the FCC report.

Huffington Post

In 2009, this guideline was introduced at the ALERT hospital in Ethiopia.

BMC Infectious Diseases

From October 2009 to January 2011, we evaluated the operational performance of the WHO 2007 smear negative TB diagnostic algorithm at the ALERT hospital.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Alert fatigue studies conducted in clinical environments have documented that over 90% of medication safety/drug-drug interaction alerts are overridden in electronic decision support systems without a physician even looking at the alert [ 23]; pharmacists have also been found to override one-third of life-threatening drug-drug interactions [ 24].

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It is difficult to believe that the high level of engagement seen in the group docking 1 3 times/week would have been maintained if the parents or children did not look at the alerts or trending reports.

Diabetes Care

*Defined as time between weekly attack rate crossed at least the alert threshold (5 cases/week/100,000 population) and descended below the alert threshold, (i.e., from alert to alert).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

At institutional level, the alert system score was 81.5%.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control

The alert at the plant ended at 6 50 p.m. today, nearly 24 hours after the accident occurred.

The New York Times

At the time of the alert, we were 80 miles off the incident site," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "at the alert", consider whether a more common alternative like "on alert" would be clearer and more readily understood by your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "at the alert" when "on alert" is the more idiomatic and widely accepted prepositional phrase to describe a state of vigilance or readiness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the alert" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate a state of readiness or vigilance. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, it's less common than alternative phrases like "on alert".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

43%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at the alert" is a prepositional phrase indicating a state of readiness or vigilance. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI indicates that it is less common and idiomatic than alternatives like "on alert". Analysis of Ludwig examples reveals its occurrence in contexts related to science, news, and general knowledge, with authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian featuring its use. When writing, consider whether "on alert" might be a clearer and more widely understood choice. In summary, while "at the alert" is not incorrect, writers should be mindful of its relative infrequency and consider alternative phrasings for greater clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on high alert

This alternative is a more common and idiomatic expression signifying a state of increased readiness or vigilance.

in a state of vigilance

This alternative emphasizes the condition of being watchful and prepared for potential danger or activity.

vigilantly monitoring

This alternative highlights the active process of observing and tracking something with alertness.

keeping watch

This alternative is a simpler, more direct way of expressing the act of guarding or observing.

maintaining surveillance

This alternative suggests a more formal or organized approach to monitoring and observing.

standing guard

This alternative implies a role of protecting or defending a specific location or person.

being observant

This alternative emphasizes the quality of paying close attention to details and noticing potential issues.

remaining watchful

This alternative focuses on the continuous aspect of staying alert and attentive.

being on the lookout

This alternative suggests actively searching for something specific, such as danger or opportunity.

in a proactive stance

This alternative underlines the intent of being prepared in advance.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "at the alert"?

Being "at the alert" suggests a state of heightened awareness and readiness, though it's less common than similar phrases like "on alert" or "vigilant".

Is it grammatically correct to say "at the alert"?

While not strictly incorrect, "at the alert" is less common and might sound awkward to some. "On alert" is the more standard and widely accepted phrase.

What's a better alternative to "at the alert"?

More common and natural-sounding alternatives include "on alert", "vigilant", or "watchful", depending on the specific context.

How can I use "on alert" instead of "at the alert"?

Instead of saying "The guards were at the alert", say "The guards were "on alert"". This is a more idiomatic and readily understood expression.