by the gate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by the gate" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe a location or position near a specific gate. Example: The dog sat patiently by the gate, waiting for his owner to return.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The amount of current is controlled by the gate voltage.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Two men sat down with me by the gate.

The New York Times

When they deplaned, photographers were waiting by the gate.

The Washington Post

"He had been standing by the gate looking out.

The Guardian

The charge in the graphene was adjusted by the gate voltage on the ion gel.

University of California, Berkeley

Stopping cars, leaving bridesmaids hovering by the gate, the girl floated down.

The New Yorker

And I'll breakfast on one of those sour apples down by the gate.

The New Yorker

And these trap density also can be affected by the gate voltage (see Fig. 3(c)).

Nature

"That corpse in the blue shirt by the gate is my uncle," he said.

The New York Times

The normalized value represents the internal tunability of the band splitting by the gate voltage.

Nature

By the gate that was knocked down by the agents who raided the house are posters.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by the gate" to clearly indicate a location immediately adjacent to a gate. This provides a precise spatial reference for readers.

Common error

Avoid using "at the gate" when "by the gate" is more appropriate. "By the gate" indicates a position directly next to it, whereas "at the gate" can imply a more general location encompassing the entire gate area.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by the gate" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase of place, modifying a verb to specify where an action occurs or a state exists. It provides a spatial context, indicating proximity to a gate, and as stated by Ludwig AI, is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

29%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by the gate" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that functions as an adverbial of place. As Ludwig AI states, it is a common way to define the location of someone or something near a gate. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, it provides a clear and precise spatial reference. While alternatives like "near the entrance" exist, "by the gate" specifically denotes close proximity to the gate itself. When writing, ensure that the meaning of the phrase is about a position directly next to a gate. Its straightforward usage makes it suitable for a wide range of writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

near the entrance

Focuses on the entrance aspect of the gate, rather than the gate itself.

close to the barrier

Highlights the function of the gate as a barrier, shifting emphasis from the gate's structure.

at the portal

Uses a more formal or literary term for gate, implying a grander or more significant entrance.

in proximity to the gateway

Employs a synonymous term, 'gateway', and a more formal prepositional phrase.

adjacent to the access point

Replaces 'gate' with a more general term, 'access point', indicating any entry location.

beside the entryway

Uses 'entryway' to broaden the concept to any form of entrance, not just a gate.

at the fenced area

Shifts the focus to the enclosed area the gate controls, rather than the gate itself.

in the vicinity of the barrier

Indicates a general area around the barrier, less precise than directly 'by' it.

around the access

Offers a more general description of the location.

near the opening

Uses 'opening' to describe a point of access.

FAQs

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

You can use "by the gate" to specify a location. For example, "The guard stood "by the gate", watching the entrance".

What are some alternatives to saying "by the gate"?

Alternatives include "near the entrance", "close to the barrier", or "at the portal" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "at the gate" instead of "by the gate"?

While both are understandable, "by the gate" typically means right next to it, whereas "at the gate" can imply a broader area. Choose the phrase that best represents your intended meaning.

What's the difference between "by the gate" and "near the gate"?

"By the gate" suggests a closer proximity than "near the gate". "Near the gate" indicates being in the general vicinity, while "by the gate" implies immediate adjacency.