by the counter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by the counter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a location near or adjacent to a counter, often in contexts like restaurants, stores, or kitchens. Example: "I left my keys by the counter when I was paying for my groceries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

New York lives and dies by the counter attack.

The Guardian - Sport

Imagine you are waiting for your Starbucks cappucino, and you are waiting by the counter.

Stanford University

By the counter, they'll have copies of Wax Poetics on sale.

The Guardian - Music

By the time I returned with my last load, Don was standing by the counter.

The New Yorker

He stood by the counter and scanned the shelves from there.

The New Yorker

As we ate, an older gentleman stopped by the counter and said hello.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

The Supreme Court can be packed with judges nominated by a president elected by the counter-majoritarian Electoral College and confirmed by the counter-majoritarian Senate.

Columbia University

temporary delays won by the counter-attack of caregivers in the setting of family and professionals?

Princeton University

Reductions have been outweighed by the counter-effect of economic growth and new products and processes.

The Guardian - Opinion

On July 5th grossly forged "documents" were published by the counter-revolutionary secret service.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One is the enormous building enthusiasm engendered by the Counter-Reformation, particularly through the Jesuit order.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by the counter" to indicate a location very close to a counter, implying a natural or expected association with it. For example, "The specials are listed on the chalkboard by the counter."

Common error

Avoid using "by the counter" when you mean something is behind the counter or a significant distance away. "By" suggests immediate adjacency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by the counter" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating location or proximity. It specifies where something is situated in relation to a counter, as illustrated by Ludwig examples such as "stood by the counter" or "menu by the counter."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

16%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by the counter" is a common prepositional phrase used to indicate a location near or adjacent to a counter. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. It's a neutral expression suitable for both informal and descriptive writing. While alternatives like "at the counter" or "near the counter" exist, "by the counter" effectively conveys spatial proximity. Remember to use "by the counter" only when referring to immediate adjacency, and be aware of the contexts where it is most prevalent to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the counter

Uses a different preposition to indicate the same location.

near the counter

Employs a synonym to specify the location.

beside the counter

Another synonym focusing on the side-by-side positioning.

next to the counter

Specifies immediate adjacency to the counter.

adjacent to the counter

A more formal way of saying next to.

close to the counter

Indicates general nearness without specifying precise location.

in the vicinity of the counter

A more verbose and formal way of indicating nearness.

at the edge of the counter

Emphasizes being right on the border of the counter.

in front of the counter

Focuses on the position directly facing the counter.

across from the counter

Highlights being on the opposite side of the counter.

FAQs

How can I use "by the counter" in a sentence?

Use "by the counter" to indicate a location near or adjacent to a counter. For example, "The tip jar is located "at the counter"." or "Please leave your order "near the counter"."

What's the difference between "by the counter" and "at the counter"?

"By the counter" suggests a general proximity, while ""at the counter"" often implies a specific point or interaction occurring there. They're often interchangeable, but "at" may highlight the counter's function.

Which preposition is more formal, "by the counter" or "near the counter"?

"Near the counter" is slightly more formal than "by the counter", but both are suitable for most contexts. Choose based on desired nuance and flow.

What can I say instead of "by the counter" to describe a location?

Depending on the precise location, you could use "beside the counter", "next to the counter", or "in front of the counter". These provide more specific spatial relationships.