man on board

USAGE SUMMARY

'man on board' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to refer to a person who has been added to your team or project, for example: "We've just added a new man on board to help with marketing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"We're in a very nice position and there'll be a top man on board".

The Guardian - Sport

Besides Ms. Rose and her entrepreneurial gumption, the Wyoming caravan had the advantage of a renowned numbers man on board.

The New York Times - Arts

Police stormed a packed train in response to reports there was a man on board carrying a samurai sword – only to find it was an umbrella.

Independent

Mr. Mohammed wanted to hijack the last plane himself, then kill every man on board and land to deliver an anti-American diatribe.

The New York Times

As chief of boat, Mr. Ingles was assistant to the Nautilus's executive officer and had the most authority of any enlisted man on board.

The New York Times

With every man on board missing a limb, their journey was an epic of courage and endurance: a dozen seriously injured British servicemen have become the first all-amputee crew to complete the Atlantic Race Challenge.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

These different structures include unit-load AS/RS, mini-load AS/RS, man-on-board AS/RS, carousel AS/RS, deep-lane AS/RS, multi-aisle AS/RS, mobile-rack AS/RS, and flow-rack AS/RS.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

He told of watching minke whales, cruising through "iceberg alley" and how one of the men on board had proposed to his girlfriend.

The Guardian

Defender only had 22 men on board and decided to sail further out to sea to meet one of her boats.

Wikipedia

And get men on board.

The Guardian

Some have brought military men on board, hoping for army backing.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "man on board", consider if a gender-neutral alternative like "person on board" is more appropriate for your context.

Common error

Avoid using "man on board" when referring to abstract concepts or figurative situations where physical presence isn't implied. Ensure the context involves actual presence in a vehicle or team.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "man on board" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adjective modifying a noun. It describes the presence or inclusion of a male individual within a specific context, such as a vehicle or a team. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "man on board" is a prepositional phrase indicating the presence of a male individual on a vehicle or within a group, as noted by Ludwig. Grammatically correct and usable, it carries a neutral register and is frequently found in news and media contexts. While its literal meaning is straightforward, modern usage often benefits from gender-neutral alternatives like "person on board" to promote inclusivity. The phrase serves to inform about someone's location or their addition to a team, with its specific impact shaped by the surrounding context. Ludwig AI confirms that "man on board" is indeed correct in English and gives useful advice to master its usage. Be mindful of evolving language norms and consider the implications of specifying gender when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Person aboard

Replaces "man" with a gender-neutral term, maintaining the core meaning.

Passenger onboard

Specifies the person is a passenger on a vehicle, narrowing the original meaning.

Individual present

Substitutes "man" with "individual" and "on board" with "present", broadening the application.

Participant present

Highlights active involvement and presence, suitable when referring to activities or events.

Crew member present

Indicates a person is part of a crew, changing the focus to professional involvement.

Member included

Shifts focus to inclusion rather than physical presence, changing the context slightly.

Newcomer present

Emphasizes the recent addition of a person to a situation or group.

Someone involved

Emphasizes participation rather than mere presence, altering the nuance.

Expert involved

Highlights someone with specific skills or knowledge has been added to a team.

New addition to the team

Focuses on the aspect of joining a group, changing the context to a team setting.

FAQs

What does "man on board" mean?

The phrase "man on board" typically refers to a male person who is present on a vehicle (like a ship, plane, or train) or part of a team. It can also imply that someone with specific skills or knowledge has been added to a team.

What can I say instead of "man on board" if I want a gender-neutral term?

You can use alternatives like "person aboard" or "individual present" to avoid specifying gender.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "man on board"?

It's appropriate when you want to specify that a male person is physically present on a vessel, or when referring to a new male member joining a team or project, though using a gender-neutral alternative might be more suitable in modern contexts.

Is there a difference between "man on board" and "men on board"?

Yes, "man on board" refers to a single male, while "men on board" refers to multiple males. Using "people on board" is a gender-neutral way to refer to multiple people of any gender.