by the road

USAGE SUMMARY

"by the road" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a location or destination. For example, "I will meet you by the road at noon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

GIRL BY THE ROAD AT NIGHT: A Novel of Vietnam.

The New York Times - Books

"That's by the road.

The New Yorker

'Come on, stand by the road!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They stood there by the road, waving.

The Guardian

Gigantic trees felled by the road side.

The Guardian

There's no small bench by the road.

The New Yorker

We sit by the road and I tell the story.

Independent

But he was bothered only by the road map.

The New York Times

There's a cyclist by the road mending a puncture.

The Guardian - Travel

Initially, he is scared and alienated by the road.

The New York Times - Books

There's a farmers market by the road side.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by the road" to clearly indicate a location that is immediately adjacent to a road. This phrase is suitable for both descriptive and directional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "by the road" when you mean something is actively traveling or occurring on the road itself. "By the road" indicates a static location, whereas "on the road" suggests movement or activity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by the road" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase of place, modifying a verb to indicate where something is located. Ludwig's examples show it describing locations of objects, people, or activities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

24%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by the road" is a grammatically sound and generally neutral prepositional phrase used to indicate a location adjacent to a road. Ludwig AI analysis indicates its common usage in contexts such as news reporting, scientific writing, and academic discourse. While relatively simple, correct usage is crucial to avoid confusion with other similar phrases like "on the road". Using alternatives such as "alongside the road" or "near the road" can provide a variety of expression. Remember, "by the road" specifies where something is, not how something travels.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alongside the road

Emphasizes a parallel position to the road.

next to the road

Highlights immediate adjacency to the road.

near the road

Indicates proximity without specifying the exact position.

at the roadside

Focuses on the area immediately bordering the road.

beside the road

Similar to 'next to', but can imply a slightly less direct adjacency.

by the wayside

Implies being on the edge or verge of the road, often with a connotation of being neglected or abandoned.

close to the road

Similar to 'near', but slightly more emphatic about the short distance.

adjacent to the road

A more formal way of saying 'next to', emphasizing a shared boundary.

in proximity to the road

A formal expression indicating nearness.

bordering the road

Highlights that something forms a boundary or edge alongside the road.

FAQs

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

The phrase "by the road" indicates a location near a road. For example, "We saw a small market "by the roadside"" or "They were standing "next to the road" waiting for the bus".

What's the difference between "by the road" and "on the road"?

"By the road" refers to a location adjacent to a road, while "on the road" implies travel or activity taking place directly on the road. For instance, a house might be "by the road", while a truck is "on the road".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "by the road"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "alongside the road", "near the road", or "at the roadside". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "by the road"?

Yes, "by the road" is grammatically correct. It's a common prepositional phrase used to describe a location's proximity to a road.