at their fingertips

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at their fingertips" is a perfectly acceptable and widely used phrase in written English.
It is used to describe something that is easily available to someone, as if it were right at the tips of their fingers. For example, "With the latest technology, people now have access to the world's collective knowledge at their fingertips."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The world is at their fingertips.

The Guardian - Opinion

Then they feel it: the faintest buzzing at their fingertips.

The New Yorker

Avid readers always have books at their fingertips.

Princeton University

"Everything New Yorkers could want is at their fingertips.

The New York Times

Both parents and professionals now have information at their fingertips.

The Guardian

Online editors, of course, have that information at their fingertips.

The Guardian

With Nychanis, anyone can have this data at their fingertips".

The New York Times

"Interest rates may be lower," he said, "but people have more information at their fingertips.

The New York Times

Customers "like being able to have those coupons at their fingertips," Ms. Butler said.

The New York Times

For years, the good manager was one who had data at their fingertips.

The New York Times - Magazine

"They got to know what was at their fingertips," she said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts like knowledge or convenience, "at their fingertips" effectively communicates the sense of immediate and effortless access.

Common error

Avoid using "at their fingertips" when describing situations where access is already inherently implied. For instance, saying "they have information at their fingertips on their smartphones" is redundant because smartphones are already understood to provide immediate access to information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at their fingertips" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or noun by indicating how easily something is accessed or obtained. It emphasizes the convenience and immediacy of access, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

19%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

9%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at their fingertips" is a common and versatile expression used to describe the ease and immediacy of access to information, resources, or tools. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently appears in diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. It conveys the idea that something is readily available and easily accessible, often due to technological advancements. While it's generally safe to use, avoiding redundancy is key. Consider alternatives like "readily available" or "at hand" to add variety to your writing. This phrase effectively emphasizes the convenience and speed of modern access.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at hand

Implies readiness and availability for immediate use; more concise and slightly more formal.

within easy reach

Focuses on the proximity and convenience of obtaining something.

close at hand

Similar to "at hand" but emphasizes the physical or metaphorical closeness.

immediately accessible

Highlights the speed and ease with which something can be obtained.

at one's disposal

Indicates that something is available for use as one pleases, often implying ownership or control.

readily accessible

Emphasizes ease of access but lacks the implication of being immediately available or under one's control.

easily available

Similar to "readily accessible", but slightly more general, referring to availability rather than immediate access.

readily obtainable

Focuses on the act of acquiring or getting something without difficulty.

within reach

A broader term that signifies something is achievable or attainable, not necessarily immediately.

on demand

Emphasizes that something is available whenever it is requested or needed.

FAQs

What does "at their fingertips" mean?

The phrase "at their fingertips" means something is easily accessible and readily available to someone. It often implies convenience and immediacy, especially in the context of technology and information.

How can I use "at their fingertips" in a sentence?

You can use "at their fingertips" to describe access to information, resources, or tools. For example, "Students now have a wealth of knowledge "at their fingertips" thanks to the internet".

What can I say instead of "at their fingertips"?

Alternatives to "at their fingertips" include "readily available", "within easy reach", or "at hand", depending on the specific context.

Is "at someone's fingertips" formal or informal?

"At someone's fingertips" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness largely depends on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the communication.