at the courthouse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the courthouse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a location where legal proceedings take place, such as when discussing court cases or legal matters. Example: "The hearing will take place at the courthouse next Monday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Reporters at the courthouse.

The New Yorker

"Well, he had worked at the courthouse.

The New York Times

Troopers arrested Mr. Rurick at the courthouse.

The New York Times

Security at the courthouse was intense.

The Guardian

Lawyers met at the courthouse last Thursday.

The New York Times

But at the courthouse Washington balked.

The New Yorker

At the courthouse, the victims' family members erupted in shouts.

Independent

Then we were married at the courthouse downtown.

The New York Times

At the courthouse, it goes for $114,000.

The New York Times

At the courthouse the doctor was there & Dr. Katsie, too.

The New Yorker

Ms. Stewart surrendered to United States marshals at the courthouse.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at the courthouse", ensure the context clearly indicates a connection to legal proceedings or court-related activities. For instance, "Reporters gathered at the courthouse to cover the trial" is more precise than "I was at the courthouse today."

Common error

Avoid using "at the courthouse" when you specifically mean inside a courtroom or an office within the building. For example, instead of saying "The lawyer waited at the courthouse", specify "The lawyer waited in the courtroom" or "The lawyer waited in the clerk's office" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the courthouse" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate location. Examples from Ludwig show it describing where actions occur (e.g., "Lawyers met at the courthouse") or where people are situated (e.g., "Prosecutors at the courthouse"). According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at the courthouse" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to specify the location of actions or events related to legal proceedings. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Its usage spans various contexts, with a high prevalence in news and media reporting, as well as formal and business settings. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to ensure contextual clarity when referring to specific locations within the courthouse. The related phrases and writing guidance offer valuable alternatives and highlight potential pitfalls in its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the courthouse

Replaces "at" with "in", indicating a location inside the courthouse.

within the courthouse

Emphasizes the location being inside the building.

at the court building

A more generic way of referring to the courthouse.

on courthouse grounds

Specifies that the location is on the property or land surrounding the courthouse.

at the hall of justice

Uses a more formal term for a courthouse.

at the justice center

Another alternative name for a courthouse or legal building.

at the judicial center

Uses a formal term to describe the location.

in court

Implies being at a legal proceeding within the courthouse.

on the courthouse steps

Specifies a particular location outside the courthouse.

at the place of trial

Describes the location in terms of its function.

FAQs

How can I use "at the courthouse" in a sentence?

You can use "at the courthouse" to indicate a location where legal proceedings or related activities take place. For example, "The protesters gathered at the courthouse" or "The documents were filed at the courthouse".

What are some alternatives to saying "at the courthouse"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "in the courthouse", "on courthouse grounds", or "within the courthouse".

Is it more formal to say "at the courthouse" or "in the courthouse"?

The phrases "at the courthouse" and "in the courthouse" are generally interchangeable and don't significantly differ in formality. The choice often depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Which is correct, "at the courthouse" or "to the courthouse"?

"At the courthouse" indicates a location, while "to the courthouse" implies movement or direction. For example, "She is at the courthouse" means she is present there, whereas "She went to the courthouse" means she traveled there.