be at a cable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be at a cable" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear when this phrase could be used, as it lacks context and does not form a coherent expression. Example: "I need to be at a cable to connect the devices." (This is an attempt to provide context, but the phrase still feels awkward.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"The mobile audience is here, and wouldn't be at a cable upfront".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

My wife works at a university in New York and I was working at a cable network during the day and performing in the evenings.

Huffington Post

I'm at a point with Monster Cable where I would rather buy a cheap cable from Amazon and not sleep at night wondering if I'm not getting 100% quality than support a company that gets off suing the little guy and connin' unknowing consumers into purchasing extremely overpriced digital cables.

TechCrunch

The letter reflected the increasing concern by network broadcasters that they are at a disadvantage in competition with cable channels because of tighter limits on sex and violence.

The New York Times

Even now it is at a disadvantage in one respect: although cable operators are now allowed to offer voice services, Telmex cannot offer television services.

The Economist

Anyway, here's how cool I think this thing is: I haven't been a cable subscriber for at least a year and a half, but I might just have to sign up again, just to try out the X1.

TechCrunch

He is at a loss what to do so cables his mother who sends him the name of a person.

The New Yorker

Mr. Bull said he had not met Mr. Woodward and Mr. Bernstein until Monday, when he was backstage at a cable-television show.

The New York Times

Board1 and Board4 are at the cable ends, Board2 is at mid-cable, Board3 midway between Board2 and Board4.

EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems

But some wishful thinking seems to be at work at the cable networks.

The New York Times

"Our view is not whether but when," says Jeff Turner, director of IP telephony at MediaOne, which is both a cable company and a CLEC.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to describe a location near a cable, ensure clarity by specifying the position more precisely (e.g., "next to the cable", "near the cable", "along the cable route").

Common error

Avoid using "be at a cable" when you mean to express a more specific relationship (e.g., "connected to", "working on", "inspecting"). Replace the phrase with more accurate and descriptive alternatives to enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be at a cable" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, attempting to indicate a state, location, or activity associated with a cable. However, its ambiguity and lack of precise meaning limit its effectiveness. Ludwig AI points out the phrase is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be at a cable" is grammatically questionable and lacks precise meaning in most contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that it is not correct. While present in a few sources, it's advisable to use more specific alternatives like "connected to", "located near", or phrases that clarify the relationship or activity involving the cable. The phrase is better replaced with alternatives, it may be used in informal registers but should be avoided in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be connected to a cable

Focuses on the physical connection rather than a state or activity.

work at a cable network

Specifies employment at a cable-related company, adding a professional context.

be located near the cable

Emphasizes the proximity to a cable, focusing on location.

be positioned at the cable

Highlights a specific placement or arrangement in relation to the cable.

be present at the cable installation

Indicates attendance or involvement in a cable-related process, such as installation.

be involved with cable operations

Implies participation or engagement in activities related to cable systems or services.

be in charge of cable maintenance

Suggests responsibility for upkeep and repair of cable infrastructure.

be responsible for cable management

Highlights the oversight and organization of cable-related resources.

be part of the cable team

Indicates membership or affiliation with a group working on cable-related projects.

be stationed by the cable

Highlights the act of being placed at or assigned to location near the cable

FAQs

How can I rephrase "be at a cable" to be more precise?

To be more precise, consider using phrases like "connected to a cable", "located near the cable", or "working on the cable", depending on the intended meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "be at a cable"?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "be at a cable" is often vague and may not clearly convey your intended meaning. It's generally better to use more specific phrasing.

What does "be at a cable" typically imply in technical contexts?

In technical settings, "be at a cable" might imply a physical connection, testing point, or a location along a cable's path. Clarify the context to avoid ambiguity.

What are some alternatives to describe someone working with cables?

Instead of "be at a cable", you could say someone is "installing a cable", "repairing a cable", or "inspecting a cable" for more clarity.