get on a ship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "get on a ship" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it in the following sentence: "We had to get on a ship to travel to our destination".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Sixty years ago Somali sailors like my father, who lived in Britain, used a simple system to return some of their earnings to family members in east Africa: one of them would stuff all his money into his rucksack, get on a ship and hand-deliver each share to the designated families.

The Guardian - Opinion

A. I've got friends who tell me with great delight that when they get on a ship they find the appropriate people and stuff $30 in their hand.

The New York Times - Travel

Rather than waiting for travelers to fly to Miami or San Juan to get on a ship, ships now sail out of Baltimore Philadelphia Norfolklk, Va.; Charleston, S.C. New Orleans Fort Lauderdalele, Fla.; Los Angeles and San Franciscoo.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This is the second book about Fin, a boy who lives on the Pirate Stream, a magical parallel world, and Marrill, who one day gets on a ship which ends up in the Pirate Stream.

The Guardian

It would be nice to believe that if one rat never got on a ship, the black death would never have happened.

The Guardian - Arts

But instead Jonah got on a ship and went in the opposite direction.

The New Yorker

A group of bankers recently felt so apprehensive about the future of thrift that they got on a ship and sailed away.

The New Yorker

Upon procuring it, he immediately got on a ship to Paris where he would spend the next five years studying sociology and philosophy at the Sorbonne.

The Guardian

He said he learned his trade when he was in the Navy: "I got on a ship and they said, 'You're gonna be the barber.' They gave me the tools and I taught myself".

The New York Times

A CBS spokeswoman, Sandy Genelius, said, "The final plans for where he will report from are still being finalized," but Mr. Rather has put himself on a waiting list of journalists hanging out in Bahrain in the hope of getting on a ship and joining "the leathernecks," as the marines call themselves.

The New York Times

Hamilton writes his way out and gets on a ship headed to the colonies.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about transportation, use "get on a ship" to describe the act of boarding for a sea journey or cruise. Be specific about the type of ship if relevant, such as a cruise ship, cargo ship, or sailing ship.

Common error

Avoid using "get in a ship", which is grammatically incorrect. The correct preposition to use when referring to boarding a ship is "on".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get on a ship" functions as a verb phrase. It typically describes the action of boarding a sea vessel. Ludwig AI shows the phrase used to indicate starting a journey or transport via ship.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

16%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "get on a ship" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe the act of boarding a sea vessel. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It’s best used in neutral contexts, such as news reporting or general writing. When using the phrase, ensure that "on" is used and not "in". Semantically similar alternatives include "board a ship" and "embark on a ship". This analysis is designed to assist in clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

board a ship

Focuses on the act of entering a ship, omitting the preposition.

embark on a ship

Emphasizes the beginning of a journey on a ship, implying a more formal or adventurous context.

go aboard a ship

Uses 'aboard' to indicate movement onto the ship.

enter a ship

Simple alternative focusing on the act of entering.

climb onto a ship

Highlights the physical action of climbing onto the ship.

step onto a ship

Highlights the physical act of stepping.

ascend to a ship

Describes the upward movement to get on a ship, implying a more elevated position.

access a ship

Focuses on the ability to enter a ship.

join a ship

Suggests becoming part of the crew or passengers on a ship.

mount a ship

Implies climbing onto the ship, often used in historical or dramatic contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "get on a ship" in a sentence?

You can use "get on a ship" to describe the action of boarding a vessel for travel. For example, "We need to get on a ship to reach the island".

What are some alternatives to "get on a ship"?

Alternatives include "board a ship", "embark on a ship", or "go aboard a ship". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "get in a ship" instead of "get on a ship"?

No, it is generally incorrect to say "get in a ship". The correct preposition is "on". You "get on a ship", "get on a train", or "get on a bus". However, you "get in a car".

What is the difference between "get on a ship" and "be on a ship"?

"Get on a ship" refers to the action of boarding. "Be on a ship" indicates the state of already being aboard the vessel. For example, "We will get on a ship tomorrow", versus "We are on a ship now".