at the confluence of

USAGE SUMMARY

"at the confluence of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a location where two or more rivers or streams come together to form a larger body of water. Example: The historic city is located at the confluence of two major rivers, offering residents and visitors beautiful views and opportunities for water activities.

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's at the confluence of the Lochsa and the Selway.

The New York Times

Northwest of Oldwick is Mountainville, at the confluence of several streams.

The New York Times - Travel

Bay Street stands at the confluence of several trends in commercial real estate.

The New York Times

The safari ends 163km later at the confluence of the Luangwa River.

The Guardian - Travel

With the tropical sun beating down, we beach the rafts at the confluence of two rivers.

The Guardian - Travel

Research at the confluence of accessibility, equity and health is flourishing.

Journal of Transport Geography

It is situated at the confluence of the Rivers Wye and Monnow on the English border.

Britannica

Calgary is located at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers, plus several smaller streams.

Britannica

It is situated at the confluence of the Ille and Vilaine rivers.

Britannica

It lies in the Sagami River valley, at the confluence of the Sagami and Nakatsu rivers.

Britannica

It lies at the confluence of the Svartån River and Lake Mälar, west of Stockholm.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the confluence of" to describe not only physical locations where rivers meet, but also abstract situations where ideas or trends converge. For example, "The project lies at the confluence of marketing and technology."

Common error

Avoid using "at the confluence of" when a simpler preposition like 'at' or 'where' would be clearer and more direct. For instance, instead of saying 'The decision was made at the confluence of several factors', consider 'The decision was made based on several factors'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the confluence of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or noun phrase by specifying a location or point of convergence. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

33%

News & Media

26%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Unknown/unmatched sources

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the confluence of" is a versatile phrase used to describe the meeting point of physical entities, such as rivers, or abstract concepts. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples confirms its correct usage across various contexts. While grammatically sound and frequently employed in encyclopedias, news articles, and scientific publications, it's advisable to consider simpler alternatives like "at the junction of" or "where...meet" when clarity and directness are paramount. Be mindful of overusing the phrase in situations where simpler language would suffice, ensuring your writing remains concise and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the convergence of

Synonymous, replacing 'confluence' with a similar term.

where rivers converge

Focuses specifically on river meetings; less abstract than the original.

at the junction of rivers

Replaces 'confluence' with 'junction', maintaining the river context.

where streams merge

Similar to river convergence, but applies to smaller bodies of water.

at the meeting point of

More general, applicable to both physical locations and abstract concepts.

at the intersection of

Emphasizes crossing or overlapping aspects.

at the merging of

Highlights the act of coming together into a single entity.

where lines intersect

Focuses on the intersection of lines, abstracting the physical meeting point.

where elements combine

Focuses on the combination or integration of different parts.

at the crossroads of

Emphasizes a point of decision or transition.

FAQs

How can I use "at the confluence of" in a sentence?

You can use "at the confluence of" to describe the meeting point of rivers, like "The city is located at the confluence of the Volga and Oka rivers". It can also describe the convergence of abstract concepts: "Her research is at the confluence of history and sociology".

What is a simpler alternative to "at the confluence of"?

Depending on the context, you can use simpler alternatives such as "at the junction of", "where...meet", or "where...merge". For abstract concepts, consider "a combination of" or "an intersection of".

Is it correct to use "at the confluence of" for non-physical locations?

Yes, it is correct. While often used for physical locations like rivers, "at the confluence of" can also metaphorically describe the convergence of ideas, trends, or influences. For example, "The solution lies at the confluence of innovation and practicality".

What's the difference between "at the confluence of" and "at the intersection of"?

"At the confluence of" often implies a flowing together or merging, commonly used for rivers or streams. "At the intersection of" suggests a crossing or overlapping, and is more frequently used for abstract concepts or roads.