cordoning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cordoning" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts where an area is being sealed off or restricted, often for safety or security reasons. Example: "The police are cordoning off the area around the crime scene to prevent unauthorized access."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The navy deployed fast-attack vessels (pictured), cordoning off a wide swath of water and forcing Swedish pleasure boaters seeking the last good autumn weather to leave.

The Economist

Or they should seek to slice through the entanglements, cordoning off the dangerous bits.

The Economist

In areas free from intensive human activity, such as in rugged landscapes and in the oceans, the process of cordoning off protected areas for wildlife had been easier to achieve, provided that the political will to do so existed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The resort is cordoning off a mile-long ski run for adult beginners – one that gets sunshine all day and offers great views – for a new Première Glisse (First Glide) course, which claims to make you competent on the slopes after only three days.

Independent

Police officers lined the route, cordoning off traffic for the group.

Independent

Hundreds of police flooded into the city centre, cordoning off dozens of blocks and evacuating thousands of people.

Independent

The military is cordoning off the area as we tweet.

Independent

Nudging big business in a green direction, he believes, can do far more good than simply cordoning off parcels of Paradise.

The New Yorker

Wire fencing had been erected along most streets, cordoning off the destroyed buildings.

The New Yorker

Iraqi and American officials have braced themselves for violence, imposing strict controls on pedestrian and vehicular traffic and cordoning off entire streets and neighborhoods.

The New York Times

But they were also drawn by the hundreds to gaze over the metal barriers cordoning off the six blocks around the marathon's finish line.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about security measures or emergency situations, use "cordoning" to clearly convey the idea of establishing a boundary around an area. It suggests a formal or official closure, often by authorities.

Common error

Avoid using "cordoning" interchangeably with simpler terms like "blocking" or "closing" if you want to emphasize the formal and often temporary nature of the area restriction. "Cordoning" often implies a planned and official operation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "cordoning" is that of a present participle, often used as part of a continuous verb form (e.g., "The police are cordoning off the area") or as a gerund functioning as a noun. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cordoning" functions as a present participle, most often used to describe the action of restricting access to an area, typically by authorities. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in news and media. While alternatives like "sealing off" or "blocking off" exist, "cordoning" specifically suggests a formal, often temporary, closure. Be sure to use the phrasal verb ""cordoning off"" when referring to this action. Its high frequency in news and media makes it suitable for neutral and objective reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sealing off

Implies a complete closure, often to prevent entry or exit.

closing off

A general term for preventing access.

blocking off

Suggests creating a barrier to prevent passage.

roping off

Specifically uses ropes to create a boundary.

isolating

Emphasizes separating an area from others, often for quarantine or protection.

restricting access

Focuses on limiting who or what can enter.

barricading

Implies creating a defensive barrier, often temporary.

sectioning off

Divides a larger area into smaller, separate parts.

guarding

Highlights the presence of security to prevent entry.

enclosing

Suggests surrounding an area completely.

FAQs

How to use "cordoning" in a sentence?

You can use "cordoning" to describe the action of restricting access to an area, as in "The police are "cordoning off" the area around the accident" or "Troops were "cordoning off" the village".

What can I say instead of "cordoning"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "sealing off", "blocking off", or "isolating" to describe restricting access to an area.

Which is correct, "cordoning off" or "cordoning on"?

"Cordoning off" is the correct phrasal verb to use when describing the act of restricting access to an area. "Cordoning on" is not a standard English construction.

What's the difference between "cordoning off" and "isolating"?

"Cordoning off" typically refers to a physical barrier or restriction to prevent access, often temporarily, while "isolating" can refer to physically separating something or someone, or to abstractly separating a topic or idea for analysis.