at the doctors

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the doctors" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to being at a doctor's office or clinic for an appointment or consultation. Example: "I can't meet you for lunch today because I'm at the doctors for my annual check-up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Make sure nobody is angry at the doctors, either.

The New York Times

Finally, at the doctors' insistence, he signed it.

The New Yorker

Stalin died less than two months after he dramatically pointed his finger at the doctors.

The Economist

"I was angry at the doctors like Peg was angry at the Army".

The New York Times - Arts

But her fury at the doctors who brushed her off lingered.

The Washington Post

An hour later, I was at the doctors' station when I heard the shouts.

The New York Times - Health

To get mad at the doctors and say, 'Hey listen, what is the deal?

The New York Times - Sports

THE patient emerges from intensive care, hurls the medicine at the doctors and bites his blood donor.

The Economist

Colleagues in Guinea have said Spencer conscientiously followed safety procedures in place at the Doctors Without Borders clinic in Gueckedou.

Independent

I went to see him a few weeks ago, in a modest borrowed office at the Doctors Union.

The New Yorker

If your ultimate goal is to reduce inequality, then you should be furious at the doctors, bankers and C.E.O.'s.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the doctors" when referring to being present at a doctor's office or clinic for an appointment or medical consultation. It's a common and acceptable way to express this idea.

Common error

Avoid using "at the doctors" if you need to specify a different healthcare setting like a hospital or specialist clinic. In such cases, be more precise with phrases like "at the hospital" or "at the specialist's clinic".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the doctors" functions as an adverbial phrase of place, indicating the location where someone is. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable, serving to specify presence at a medical professional's office.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

25%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at the doctors" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate being present at a doctor's office or clinic. According to Ludwig AI, it's widely used across various contexts. As evidenced by numerous examples, it commonly appears in news, scientific, and academic writing, indicating its broad applicability. While more formal alternatives like "at the doctor's office" exist, "at the doctors" remains a concise and generally accepted way to communicate one's location in a healthcare setting. Therefore, using "at the doctors" is a safe choice in both informal and many professional contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the doctor's office

More explicit, specifying the location rather than implying the profession.

at the clinic

Implies a more general medical facility, not necessarily a private practice.

at the physician's

More formal and emphasizes the medical professional involved.

seeing a doctor

Focuses on the action of consulting a doctor, rather than the location.

under medical care

Highlights the state of receiving treatment, not necessarily a specific location.

in consultation with doctors

Emphasizes the collaborative aspect of medical advice.

visiting the hospital

Specifies a hospital setting, which is broader than a doctor's office.

receiving treatment

Focuses on the medical intervention, regardless of location or practitioner.

in a medical facility

A more generic term for a place where healthcare is provided.

with healthcare providers

Broadly refers to any professional offering healthcare services.

FAQs

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

You can use "at the doctors" to indicate you are currently at a doctor's office or clinic, for example: "I'm running late, I'm still "at the doctors"."

What's a more formal alternative to "at the doctors"?

For a more formal tone, you can say "at the doctor's office" or "at the physician's", which clearly specify the location and professional involved.

Is it correct to say "at the doctors" or should it be "at the doctor's office"?

Both ""at the doctors"" and "at the doctor's office" are acceptable, but "at the doctor's office" is more explicit. The phrase "at the doctors" is a common, shortened version.

What does "at the doctors" imply about my purpose?

Saying you are ""at the doctors"" usually implies you are there for a medical appointment, consultation, or treatment, either as the patient or accompanying someone.