at the reef

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the reef" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific location, typically in the context of marine environments or activities such as diving or fishing. Example: "The divers gathered at the reef to explore the vibrant underwater life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Nightly rates at the Reef start at $340.

The New York Times

Once at the reef, guests snorkel over a shipwreck.

The New York Times

A marine reserve district at the reef ensures first-class skin diving.

The New York Times - Travel

A week at the Reef Villa, including return flights and transport, starts from £1,999pp.

The Guardian - Travel

Dinner at the Reef is a fun way to teach pupils about food chains in a marine environment.

The Guardian

"It's like going to the Bahamas — how clear the water is and how much life there is at the reef".

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

SCUBA DIVING AT THE BARI REEF, Aug. 21, 2007 Tony Salinas, 49, a television engineer from Sunland, Calif.

The New York Times

The council is now looking at whether the reef has properly bedded in or needs more time to settle.

The Guardian

Barrett McBrier Carr and Christopher Michael Wright were married Saturday at the Reefs, a resort in Southampton, Bermuda.

The New York Times

Here's a sampling: Pay $11.11 on 11/11 at the Reefs Southampton in Bermuda when you book a four-night stay that includes that date.

The New York Times

Here's a sampling: Pay $11.11 on 11/11 at the Reefs Southampton in Bermuda (thereefs.com) when you book a four-night stay that includes that date.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing activities such as diving or snorkeling, use "at the reef" to clearly indicate the location of the activity. For example: "We went scuba diving at the reef."

Common error

Avoid substituting "in the reef" when "at the reef" is more appropriate. "At the reef" emphasizes a specific location, while "in the reef" implies being enclosed within the physical structure of the reef.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the reef" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a location. It specifies where an action takes place or where something is situated, as shown in Ludwig examples like "Once at the reef, guests snorkel over a shipwreck."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at the reef" is a grammatically sound and versatile prepositional phrase used to denote location within or near a reef ecosystem. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, although primarily found in News & Media and Science. To ensure clarity, distinguish its usage from similar phrases like "in the reef". Remember, using "at the reef" is generally correct for describing activities and observations happening in proximity to a reef. This is confirmed by many Ludwig examples. While alternatives exist, such as "near the reef" or "on the reef", "at the reef" remains a direct and widely accepted choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the reef

Focuses specifically on being positioned directly on the reef structure.

near the reef

Indicates a location in close proximity to the reef.

by the reef

Suggests being located close to or alongside the reef.

close to the reef

Emphasizes the short distance to the reef.

in the reef area

Refers to the general vicinity or zone encompassing the reef.

in the vicinity of the reef

Similar to "near the reef" but suggests a slightly larger area.

adjacent to the reef

Highlights the side-by-side positioning relative to the reef.

within the reef ecosystem

Highlights the broader ecological context of the reef environment.

around the reef

Implies being situated encircling or surrounding the reef.

off the reef

Indicates a location seaward or away from the reef.

FAQs

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

Use "at the reef" to specify a location for an activity or observation. For example, "The marine biologists were studying the coral bleaching "at the reef"."

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

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "near the reef", "on the reef", or "by the reef" as alternatives.

Is it correct to say "in the reef" instead of "at the reef"?

While "in the reef" might be acceptable in some contexts, it typically implies being physically inside the reef structure. "At the reef" generally indicates being located at or near the reef.

What does "at the reef" typically refer to?

"At the reef" usually refers to a specific location in or around a coral reef ecosystem, often associated with activities like diving, research, or conservation efforts.