on a shore

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'on a shore' is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to being on the shore of a body of water, such as a lake, ocean, or river. Example: I watched the sun set on a shore full of sharp rocks.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Kalpana and I walk to sandy Manal Kinaru beach, five minutes from Father David's house: warm waves break on a shore of wild scrub and sugar palms, a few birds hop about, and there's not another person nor a building in sight.

The Guardian - Travel

An article last Sunday about Unreasonable at Sea, a four-month cruise that brought together the founders of tech start-ups, college students and corporate mentors, misidentified one of the companies whose representatives accompanied César Harada and Gabriella Levine, two inventors, on a shore excursion in Barcelona, Spain.

The New York Times

On Earth, we know skipping stones don't end up on a shore or beach by accident.

The New York Times

"Untitled (Buildings on a Shore)." "Untitled (Sunset with Bridge)." "Untitled (Blue Mosque)." "Untitled (Statue of Liberty)." "Untitled (Sunbathers)." "Untitled (Buildings on a Shore)." "Ode to the Sea" includes work by eight Guantánamo detainees, half of whom have been released.

The New Yorker

Landing of expeditionary forces on a shore or at a port already secured by friendly forces is not usually included in the concept.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Now it is just a crumbling town on a shore of ruined piers and rusty fuel tanks, squeezed between a power plant and a quarry.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Beach nourishment has become a common practice to maintain the sediment balance on a shore-face.

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

Having it all, however, is still a dream on a distant shore, according to one key witness.

The New York Times

Random event can cause a dramatically change on Bitcoin price in a shore period.

Financial Innovation

Two trout gasping on a June shore.

The New Yorker

We just happened to be on a New England shore.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on a shore" to describe events, locations, or objects directly situated at the edge of a body of water. For greater precision, specify the type of shore (e.g. sandy, rocky, gravel).

Common error

Avoid confusing "on a shore" with nautical terminology like "inshore", which refers to the area near the coast but not necessarily the shore itself. "On a shore" describes a location directly at the water's edge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a shore" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb to indicate location. As Ludwig examples show, it specifies where something is situated relative to a body of water. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on a shore" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that specifies a location at the edge of a body of water. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in diverse contexts, predominantly within news, scientific, and general informational sources. The phrase functions to set a scene or describe a location, and while generally neutral in register, it can be adapted to suit both formal and informal writing. Alternatives like "at the shoreline" or "by the coast" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is a reliable and versatile tool for describing coastal locations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the water's edge

Denotes the very boundary where the water touches the land, emphasizing closeness.

at the shoreline

Specifies the exact line where land and water meet, offering a more precise location.

by the water's side

Poetic and emphasizes being next to a body of water, but less specific than the edge.

by the coast

Indicates a general area near the sea, broadening the location from the immediate edge.

on the beachfront

Refers specifically to the area directly facing the sea, emphasizing its recreational aspect.

on the oceanfront

Similar to beachfront, but specifically implies the location fronts the ocean.

along the seaside

Highlights a path or direction along the edge of the sea, focusing on movement.

upon the coast

A more formal or literary way to express being near the sea.

on coastal land

Highlights that something is happening in a land area of a coast, rather than at sea.

on the sandy bank

Specifies a bank, usually of a river or a lake, that is made of sand.

FAQs

How can I use "on a shore" in a sentence?

Use "on a shore" to describe something located directly at the edge of a body of water. For example: "We found seashells "on a shore" littered with seaweed".

What are some alternatives to using "on a shore"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "at the shoreline", "by the coast", or "at the water's edge".

Is it grammatically correct to say "on a shore"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase is a prepositional phrase that indicates a location. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and used in written English.

What is the difference between "on a shore" and "on a beach"?

"On a shore" is a more general term referring to the edge of any body of water. "On a beach" specifically refers to a sandy or pebbly shore. A beach is a type of shore, but not all shores are beaches.