on an oar

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on an oar" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to rowing, boating, or discussing the action of using an oar for propulsion in water. Example: "He balanced himself carefully on an oar to reach the other side of the boat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He's pulling on an oar.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

– David Cameron, who had to move his jubilee party indoors as rain soaked Downing Street "It was thought I would not look elegant in the Lycra" – London mayor Boris Johnson explaining why he turned down the offer of an oar on Gloriana for a place on the Havengore, the launch which carried the coffin of Winston Churchill to his funeral.

The Guardian

Still, he served as class president, helped found the student newspaper, held an oar on the rowing crew and was captain of the tug-of-war team.

The New York Times - Arts

Get on board and grab an oar.

Huffington Post

While making a valiant effort to save him, he's struck on the head by an oar.

Huffington Post

They balanced first on their knees, each holding an oar, before rising to stand tall on the boards.

The New York Times

The Beatles attended "The Night of 100 Stars" at the London Palladium on 23 July 1964, and during the show Evans constantly supplied them with whisky and Coca-Cola, which he delivered to them balanced on a wooden oar he had found backstage.

Wikipedia

A woman with a baby in her lap, played the role of demanding cockswain as she put two men, one on each oar, through their paces.

The New York Times - Arts

Many of the competitors in the "sweep" events -- in which the rower has two hands on one oar, as opposed to rowing with two oars, which is called sculling -- train with a former Princeton University coach, Mike Teti.

The New York Times

Faced with an intruder of the same species, it will almost immediately begin scraping an oar-shaped appendage on its tail end across the leaf.

The New York Times - Science

Go on, stick them oars right in.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing rowing or boating activities, use "on an oar" to emphasize the physical action of using the oar for propulsion or control.

Common error

Avoid using "on an oar" in contexts where a more general term like "rowing" or "paddling" would be more appropriate, as it can sound overly specific or literal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on an oar" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase. Ludwig shows it's used to describe the action related to rowing or boating, indicating the means by which something is propelled or balanced.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on an oar" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase. As Ludwig AI explains, its primary function is to describe physical actions in the context of rowing or boating. While relatively rare in general usage, it appears most frequently in news and media and scientific writing. To ensure clarity, it is best used when specifically emphasizing the act of using the oar. Alternatives include "rowing" or "paddling". In essence, this phrase aptly captures the essence of leveraging an oar for propulsion or balance in water.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

using an oar

Focuses more directly on the action of using an oar for propulsion.

with an oar in hand

Emphasizes possession and readiness to use the oar.

handling an oar

Highlights the skill and technique involved in using an oar.

rowing

Simplifies the phrase to the general activity of rowing, omitting the specific tool.

paddling

Similar to rowing, but can imply a different type of watercraft or technique.

at the oars

Suggests a position or duty related to rowing.

taking up the oar

Implies beginning to row or participate in a collective effort.

contributing to the effort

Moves away from rowing to a more general sense of contributing to a task.

doing one's part

Represents a more abstract notion of contributing to a shared goal.

pulling together

Figuratively represents the act of rowing as a collaborative effort.

FAQs

How can I use "on an oar" in a sentence?

You can use "on an oar" to describe someone physically using an oar for rowing, such as "He balanced himself carefully "on an oar" to reach the other side of the boat."

What are some alternatives to saying "on an oar"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "rowing", "paddling", or "using an oar". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "in an oar" instead of "on an oar"?

No, "in an oar" is not grammatically correct in this context. The correct preposition to use is "on", as it indicates being supported by or using the oar.

When should I use "at the oars" instead of "on an oar"?

Use "at the oars" to indicate someone is stationed or working at the oars, implying a role or duty. "On an oar" refers more directly to the physical action of using it.