at the perimeter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the perimeter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the outer boundary or edge of a specific area, such as a physical space or a geometric figure. Example: "The fence was built at the perimeter of the property to ensure security."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Other species (P. balfouri and P. capensis) are more modified in that there is ingression of cells at the perimeter of the patch prior to blastoderm formation.

Arthropod Structure and Development

"What can you do at the perimeter?" he said.

The Washington Post

The centres will be secure at the perimeter only.

The Economist

Goldberg stood at the perimeter, holding a growler of beer.

The New Yorker

The owners sat at the perimeter watching, as if at the theatre.

The New Yorker

At the perimeter of the kitchen, Ferran Adrià paces in silence, quietly observing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

In 2008 he accepted a visiting research chair at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The least exciting thing would be to find general relativity works beautifully," said Dr. Broderick, at the Perimeter Institute.

The New York Times - Science

In spring 2016, Trudeau was at a news conference at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Waterloo, Ontario.

The Washington Post

I presented a seminar on this project at the Perimeter Institute; the recorded lecture is available online at http://pirsa.org/09090026.

Stanford University

Instead, it was held at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, an independent research institute in Waterloo, Canada.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the perimeter" to clearly indicate a position or activity occurring along the outer boundary of a defined space or area. This provides a sense of spatial context and can be more precise than simply saying "around" or "near".

Common error

Avoid using "at the perimeter" when "in the center" or "within the boundaries" is more appropriate. "At the perimeter" specifically denotes the outer edge, so ensure the context aligns with this spatial relationship.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "at the perimeter" is as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by specifying the location or position where an action occurs. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which demonstrate its use in various contexts to indicate spatial relationships.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

33%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at the perimeter" functions as an adverbial phrase, primarily used to define the location of an action or object. As shown by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and found in multiple types of sources. The Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is indeed correct. Its frequency is classified as "common", appearing most often in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts. When using the phrase, remember that it denotes a location on the outer boundary, not generally nearby, and can be replaced with phrases like "on the periphery" or "at the edge" for similar effects. Avoid using the phrase when a more general phrase like "around" can be used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the periphery

Implies a less central or important position compared to "at the perimeter".

at the edge

A more general term referring to the boundary of something, lacking the specific spatial implication of "perimeter".

along the boundary

Focuses on the boundary line itself, rather than the area immediately surrounding it.

at the outer limits

Emphasizes the furthest extent of something, suggesting a defined boundary.

in the surroundings

Refers to the area around something, not necessarily the boundary.

bordering on

Suggests adjacency to a boundary, rather than being precisely located at it.

on the outskirts

Specifically refers to the outer areas of a town or city.

at the confines

Implies a restrictive boundary or limit.

surrounding area

A broader term for the general area around something, lacking the specificity of a precise boundary.

outermost region

Highlights the extreme outer area, emphasizing distance from the center.

FAQs

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

The phrase "at the perimeter" is used to indicate a location or activity occurring along the outer edge or boundary of a defined area. For example: "Security guards were stationed at the perimeter of the building."

What are some alternatives to "at the perimeter"?

You can use alternatives like "on the periphery", "at the edge", or "along the boundary" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "at the perimeter" instead of "around"?

"At the perimeter" is more precise than "around" when you want to emphasize the location being specifically on the outer boundary, rather than generally in the vicinity. For example, "troops were stationed "at the perimeter" of affected villages to prevent people from entering or exiting."

Is there a difference between "at the perimeter" and "in the perimeter"?

"At the perimeter" refers to a location on the boundary, while "in the perimeter" suggests being within the defined area enclosed by that boundary.