inbound and outbound

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inbound and outbound" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts related to logistics, communication, or data transfer to describe items or information coming in and going out. Example: "The company needs to manage both inbound and outbound shipments efficiently to meet customer demand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So clearly with both inbound and outbound traffic, Twitter is seeing massive traction for sites.

TechCrunch

Users are expected to make both inbound and outbound calls.

Practical VoIP Security

Both inbound and outbound detailed call flows are included.

Columbia University

Hundreds of inbound and outbound flights (the majority) were canceled.

The Washington Post

That means the airports have to coordinate inbound and outbound flights in an elaborately choreographed dance.

The New York Times

The accident caused delays of about an hour for inbound and outbound L.I.R.R. trains, officials said.

The New York Times

SIP proxies can be classified into inbound and outbound proxies, according to the functions they fulfill.

Internet Multimedia Communications Using SIP A Modern Approach Including Java® Practice

The Infrastructure also has transitive inbound and outbound trust with the MIT Kerberos version 5 realm.

Stanford University

It covers bribery in all of its forms — direct and indirect, inbound and outbound.

Harvard Business Review

Dividing the inbound and outbound traffic lanes was a series of grass-covered squares, separated by cross streets.

The New York Times

The coalition has sealed off the country by shutting down air and seaports and blockaded all inbound and outbound traffic.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing data flow or network traffic, use "inbound and outbound" to clearly differentiate between incoming and outgoing data streams.

Common error

Avoid using "inbound and outbound" interchangeably with "internal and external". "Inbound and outbound" refers to direction of movement, while "internal and external" refers to location or scope.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inbound and outbound" functions as a compound adjective modifying a noun, indicating directionality or flow. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

37%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inbound and outbound" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote direction, indicating movement both into and out of a particular location or system. As Ludwig confirms, it's versatile and applicable across various domains. Analysis of usage patterns reveals its strong presence in News & Media, Science, and Academic sources, suggesting a neutral to professional register. While alternatives like "incoming and outgoing" exist, "inbound and outbound" remains a precise and effective choice for technical and logistical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incoming and outgoing

Replaces "inbound" with "incoming" and "outbound" with "outgoing", focusing on the direction of movement.

arriving and departing

Emphasizes the act of arrival and departure, suitable for contexts involving transportation or travel.

entering and exiting

Highlights the action of entering and leaving a space or system.

imports and exports

Specifically relates to goods or materials being brought into and sent out of a country.

input and output

Commonly used in technical or data-related contexts to describe information flow.

ingress and egress

More formal terms for entering and exiting, often used in architectural or security contexts.

return and dispatch

Focuses on the process of something coming back and being sent out.

internal and external

Indicates movement or focus between inside and outside elements.

access and release

Describes the ability to come in and go out.

approaching and receding

Emphasizes the movement closer and further away from a point.

FAQs

How can I use "inbound and outbound" in a sentence?

The phrase "inbound and outbound" is used to describe the direction of movement, such as "The airport handles both inbound and outbound flights daily."

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

While similar, "inbound and outbound" is often used in more technical or logistical contexts, while "incoming and outgoing" can be used more broadly to describe general movement.

What are some alternatives to using "inbound and outbound" in writing?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "arriving and departing" for transportation, or "imports and exports" for trade-related topics.

Is "inbound and outbound" formal or informal language?

The phrase "inbound and outbound" is generally considered neutral to formal, suitable for professional and technical writing. You can find it in academic, news and business contexts.