at the dock

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the dock" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific location where boats or ships are moored or loaded and unloaded. Example: "The cargo was scheduled to arrive at the dock early in the morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Overnight at the dock.

The Telegraph

"The whole village was at the dock.

The New York Times - Arts

The motorboat knocks at the dock.

The New York Times - Magazine

No docking boats at the dock.

The New York Times

The inspector at the dock in N.Y.

The New Yorker

Some boats are moored at the dock.

The New York Times

Those at the dock soon followed.

The Guardian

Back at the dock, it was nightfall.

The New York Times

The yacht, called the Infinity, remained anchored at the dock.

The New Yorker

He'd just tied up at the dock and walked in.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Tying the launch boat off while picking passengers up at the dock/pier.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at the dock", ensure the context clearly indicates a location associated with boats, ships, or waterfront activities. This helps avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "at the dock" when referring to general waterfront areas that are not specifically designed for docking boats. Instead, opt for more general terms like "on the waterfront" or "by the shore."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the dock" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase of place, modifying a verb by specifying the location where an action occurs. As shown in Ludwig, it indicates where something is situated or where an activity takes place, such as mooring a boat or meeting someone.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

15%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the dock" is a prepositional phrase correctly and frequently used to specify a location near a dock, pier, or wharf. Ludwig confirms this. It is versatile enough for various contexts, but especially common in news and media, as well as academic settings. While semantically similar alternatives exist, such as "at the pier" or "by the dock", "at the dock" remains a clear and effective way to indicate a waterfront location associated with boats and ships. When writing, ensure the context aligns with this specific meaning to prevent ambiguity. The phrase's widespread usage and grammatical correctness, along with a high source quality score, contribute to its strong expert rating.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the pier

Replaces 'dock' with 'pier', another structure extending into the water for mooring.

at the wharf

Uses 'wharf' instead of 'dock', implying a structure parallel to the shore for loading and unloading.

on the dock

Substitutes 'at' with 'on', indicating a location on the surface of the dock.

by the dock

Replaces 'at' with 'by', suggesting proximity to the dock.

near the dock

Indicates a location close to the dock but not necessarily on it.

at the harbor

Broadens the location from a specific dock to the entire harbor area.

at the marina

Specifies a marina, a dock for recreational boats and yachts.

at the port

Refers to the larger port area, including multiple docks and facilities.

dockside

A single word representing the area near or at the dock.

on the waterfront

Uses 'waterfront' as a broader term for the area along the water, where docks are typically located.

FAQs

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

You can use "at the dock" to describe a location where boats are moored, loaded, or unloaded. For example: "The ship will be waiting "at the dock"."

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

Alternatives include "at the pier", "at the wharf", or "by the dock", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "on the dock" instead of "at the dock"?

Both "at the dock" and "on the dock" are acceptable, but "at the dock" generally refers to the general location, while "on the dock" specifies a location on the surface of the dock.

What's the difference between a dock and a pier when using "at the dock" versus "at the pier"?

While both docks and piers are structures extending into the water, a dock is often used for mooring vessels, while a pier may be used for recreational purposes, like fishing or walking. Therefore, using "at the dock" suggests a focus on boat-related activities, while "at the pier" might suggest a more general waterfront location.