inbound

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'inbound' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as an adjective to describe something that is coming or arriving from a particular direction, such as an inbound train, an inbound flight, or an inbound shipment. For example, "We are expecting an inbound shipment of new products tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As gross fixed capital formation contracted, plummeting by 15% in 2009, inbound Chinese investment began to surge.

The Economist

Predictably London, with its unique standing on the global stage, accounted for 54% of inbound visitor spending across Britain.

The Economist

Coming the other way, the number of inbound passengers to India grew by 19% in 2006.

The Economist

Trade deals offer some bargaining power: many of the governments seeking to block foreign donations are falling over themselves to attract foreign investment, including by providing legal protection for inbound capital.

The Economist

That is a lot of inbound tourism and business travel for an economy to lose.These predictions are not set in stone.

The Economist

Mr Chandrasena reckons that inbound flight bookings have an economic multiplier of eight.

The Economist

Last year Chinese acquisitions abroad exceeded inbound purchases for the first time.In theory, these trends should play to Dacheng's strengths.

The Economist

A Thomas Cook flight from Paphos to London in February 2011 was delayed because the pilot had spotted a rat on the inbound flight.

The Economist

The number of inbound containers has doubled in the past three years; so far in 2009 there has been no decline.

The Economist

The rules are a vast improvement on earlier, unworkable ideas (such as free inbound calls or forcing operators to match the lowest price from anywhere in the European Union).

The Economist

(Emergency runway lights meant that inbound flights could still land).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the direction of travel or movement, use "inbound" to clearly indicate something is coming in or heading towards a specific location.

Common error

Avoid using "inbound" when "inward" is more appropriate. "Inbound" typically refers to movement or arrival, whereas "inward" describes direction or orientation. For example, use "inward reflection" rather than "inbound reflection".

Linguistic Context

The word "inbound" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate direction or arrival. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, as demonstrated in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

24%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inbound" functions primarily as an adjective, denoting movement or direction towards a specific point. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically sound and frequently used across various contexts, most notably in News & Media. While generally neutral, the term's formality may increase in professional settings. When using "inbound", ensure it correctly specifies incoming movement and is not confused with "inward", which indicates internal direction. By following this guidance, you can confidently and effectively employ "inbound" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incoming

This term directly parallels "inbound", emphasizing the act of approaching or arriving.

headed inward

Emphasizes the direction of movement toward an interior point.

arriving

Focuses on the action of reaching a destination.

returning

Highlights the act of coming back to a place.

directed inward

Highlights the directionality of something towards the inside.

homeward-bound

Specifically implies a return journey towards home.

approaching

Focuses on the process of getting closer to a destination.

on the way in

Indicates something is currently en route.

drawing near

Suggests a gradual closing of distance.

entering

Implies crossing a boundary or threshold.

FAQs

How to use "inbound" in a sentence?

"Inbound" is often used as an adjective to describe movement towards a specific location. For example, "The "inbound flight" was delayed" or "We are focusing on increasing "inbound tourism"".

What can I say instead of "inbound"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "incoming", "arriving", or "returning". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "inbound" to describe feelings?

While technically grammatically correct, using "inbound" to describe feelings is uncommon. It's generally better to use words like "internal" or "inward" when discussing emotions or feelings.

What's the difference between "inbound" and "outbound"?

"Inbound" describes something coming in or arriving, while "outbound" describes something going out or departing. For example, "inbound traffic" refers to traffic coming into a city, and "outbound traffic" refers to traffic leaving the city.