been on board

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been on board" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has been involved or included in a particular situation, project, or group for a period of time. Example: "I have been on board with this project since its inception, and I believe we are making great progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He claims that the army has been "on board" for years with the idea of normalising relations with India.

The Economist

Alan Johnston, in Lampedusa, has been on board one of the boats that patrol the Mediterranean.

BBC

The BBC's Jiyar Gol has been on board one of the helicopters delivering aid to desperate Yazidis trapped in the region.

BBC

At least one American and one Russian have been on board at all times.

Independent

Here in Nederland, at least one corporate sponsor has been on board for years.

The New York Times

Everyone has been on board.

The New York Times - Sports

Others suggest terrorists had been on board.

The Guardian

"People have been on board for about six hours.

The Guardian

But officials say 300 people may have been on board.

The New York Times

"How long have you been on board?" I ask.

The Guardian

Approximately 250 people are believed to have been on board.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been on board" to indicate that someone has been involved in a project, or has agreed with an idea, since a specific point in time. For example: "The marketing team has been on board with the new strategy since the beginning of the year."

Common error

Avoid using "been on board" when you simply mean someone is currently present or participating. The phrase implies a duration of involvement or agreement. For instance, instead of saying "John has been on board for this meeting", say "John is attending this meeting".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been on board" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used to describe someone's involvement or agreement with a project, idea, or team over a period of time. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in various contexts, indicating sustained support or participation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "been on board" is a common prepositional phrase indicating long-term involvement, presence, or agreement with something, as supported by its frequent appearance in news and media sources. Ludwig AI indicates it as grammatically correct and usable in written English. It's suitable for neutral contexts. When using "been on board", ensure it accurately reflects sustained participation or endorsement, and consider alternatives like "participated in" or "involved in" for nuanced meanings. Avoid using it when simply indicating current presence. Ludwig examples further highlight its versatile applications in diverse scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the same page

Implies a shared understanding and agreement.

involved in

Emphasizes being part of a process or activity.

part of the team

Highlights membership and inclusion in a group.

participated in

Focuses on active involvement rather than mere presence or agreement.

member of

Indicates belonging to an organization or group.

in agreement with

Stresses the alignment of opinions or viewpoints.

endorsed the plan

Specifically refers to supporting a proposed plan or strategy.

supported the idea

Highlights agreement and endorsement of a concept.

collaborated with

Focuses on working jointly with others.

present on

Emphasizes physical presence at a specific location or event.

FAQs

How can I use "been on board" in a sentence?

You can use "been on board" to indicate that someone has been involved in a project or has agreed with an idea for some time. For example, "The CEO has "been on board" with the sustainability initiative since its inception".

What does "been on board" mean in a business context?

In a business context, "been on board" often means that someone has supported a plan or strategy. For example, "The sales team has "been on board" with the new sales process since it was introduced".

What can I say instead of "been on board"?

You can use alternatives like "participated in", "involved in", or "supported the idea" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was on board" instead of "has been on board"?

Both "was on board" and "has been on board" can be correct, but they have different meanings. "Was on board" implies a past state, while "has been on board" implies a state that started in the past and continues to the present or has relevance to the present. For example, "He was on board the ship" refers to a past event, while "He has "been on board" the project" means he's still involved.