at the boundary between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the boundary between" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe the location of something that is at the juncture or edge between two distinct areas or spaces. For example, "At the boundary between the grass and the pavement, I saw a battered suitcase."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many are found at the boundary between obliquely converging oceanic and continental tectonic plates.

Britannica

This course will cover research topics at the boundary between macroeconomics and finance.

Stanford University

Thus the temperature gradient at the boundary between polar and non-polar air was exceptionally great.

Yale University

This Ph.D. course will cover research topics at the boundary between macroeconomics and finance.

Stanford University

Public health professionals operate at the boundary between science and policy.

Columbia University

Our new neighbors had placed it right at the boundary between our yards.

The New York Times

She says she makes art "that does battle at the boundary between life and death".

The New York Times - Books

But care at home also provides room to start charging for services at the boundary between health and social care.

The Guardian

They said it would be especially useful in evaluating proposals at the boundary between the counties, Dr. Golob said.

The New York Times

Walk up the Kloosterstraat to Steenhouwersvest, a picturesque small street at the boundary between Zuid and the fashion district.

The New York Times - Travel

Social workers and GPs are at the boundary between health and social care, so can provide common leadership for integration.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the boundary between" to clearly indicate a transitional space or point of interaction between two distinct entities, whether physical or abstract.

Common error

Avoid using "at the boundary between" when a simpler preposition like "between" or "among" would suffice. Choose clarity and conciseness over complex phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the boundary between" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase. It introduces a prepositional phrase indicating location or position. As confirmed by Ludwig, it specifies the juncture, edge, or dividing line separating two distinct entities or concepts, and it is considered a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

Academia

28%

News & Media

27%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at the boundary between" is a grammatically sound and versatile prepositional phrase used to specify locations or points of interaction between two distinct entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is appropriate across various contexts, from academia and science to news and media. While alternatives exist, "at the boundary between" offers a precise and clear way to describe transitional spaces, interfaces, or dividing lines. It is essential to avoid overuse in situations where simpler prepositions would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the interface of

Replaces "boundary" with "interface", emphasizing a surface or area forming a common boundary.

at the intersection between

Replaces boundary with intersection, which might be more appropriate for abstract concepts.

on the border of

Substitutes "boundary" with "border", suggesting a political or geographical dividing line.

on the dividing line between

Replaces "boundary" with "dividing line", highlighting the separative aspect.

at the juncture of

Uses "juncture" to indicate a point of connection or intersection between two things.

at the convergence of

Implies a meeting point or merging of two distinct elements or ideas.

where X meets Y

Simplifies the structure to directly state where two entities converge.

in the zone between

Suggests an area that is neither one thing nor the other, but a space in between.

bridging X and Y

Focuses on the act of connecting two separate entities, instead of their dividing line.

straddling X and Y

Implies a position that overlaps or extends across two areas.

FAQs

How can I use "at the boundary between" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to indicate a location or area that lies on the dividing line between two distinct things. For example, "The research was conducted "at the boundary between" physics and chemistry".

What are some alternatives to "at the boundary between"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "at the interface of", "on the border of", or "at the juncture of".

Is it correct to say "at the border between" instead of "at the boundary between"?

While "at the border between" is grammatically correct and understandable, "at the boundary between" is often preferred in more formal or abstract contexts, as "boundary" can imply a less rigid or defined division than "border".

When is it more appropriate to use "between" instead of "at the boundary between"?

Use "between" when you want to simply indicate something is located in the space separating two things. Use ""at the boundary between"" when you want to emphasize that something is specifically located on that dividing line itself.