on arrival at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on arrival at" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the moment someone reaches a specific location or destination. Example: "On arrival at the airport, we were greeted by our tour guide."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

All samples were verified as frozen on arrival at Doctor's Data.

BMC Gastroenterology

Specimens were immediately stored at –70°C on arrival at the laboratory.

Environmental Health Perspectives

No one inquired about our wellbeing on arrival at Edinburgh.

The Guardian - Money

and was pronounced dead on arrival at Brookdale Medical Center.

The New York Times

Ryan was pronounced dead on arrival at Montefiore Medical Center.

The New York Times

He was dead on arrival at a hospital.

The New York Times

The 12 victims were dead on arrival at local hospital.

The New York Times

She was pronounced dead on arrival at Elmhurst Hospital Center.

The New York Times

He was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital.

The New York Times - Arts

He had an agonising wait on arrival at Heathrow.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

On arrival at Hope, new clients show up wasted.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on arrival at" to clearly indicate the state or action occurring immediately after reaching a specific location. This phrase is versatile and suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "in" instead of "at" with "arrival" when referring to a specific location. "On arrival at" emphasizes reaching a particular place, while "in" is more appropriate for enclosed spaces or general locations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on arrival at" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate when something happens in relation to reaching a specific location. It's commonly used to specify timing, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples where samples are frozen or patients are examined immediately on arrival at a facility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on arrival at" is a grammatically sound and versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate the timing of events in relation to reaching a specific location. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is prevalent in scientific, news, and formal contexts, conveying a neutral to formal tone. Related phrases include "upon reaching" and "when reaching", offering subtle variations in emphasis. When writing, remember to use "at" for specific locations and avoid using "in" incorrectly. The phrase's high frequency and clear communicative purpose make it a valuable tool for precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon reaching

Formal alternative emphasizing the action of reaching a place.

once at

A more concise way of indicating something happens after reaching a location.

when reaching

Similar to "on arrival at" but uses a different grammatical structure with "when".

after reaching

Focuses on the time immediately following the act of reaching a location.

at the time of arrival

More verbose and formal way of expressing the same concept.

following the arrival at

Emphasizes that events happen in direct succession after reaching.

subsequent to arriving at

Highly formal alternative emphasizing the sequence of events.

as soon as one arrives at

Highlights immediacy upon getting to the location.

at one's destination

More generic and can apply to any destination not only the location.

when they got to

Informal version. Refers specifically to a destination point or place.

FAQs

How can I use "on arrival at" in a sentence?

You can use "on arrival at" to describe actions or conditions that occur immediately after reaching a specific location. For instance, "On arrival at the hotel, we checked in immediately" or "The specimens were immediately stored at –70°C "on arrival at" the laboratory".

What are some alternatives to "on arrival at"?

Some alternatives include "upon reaching", "when reaching", "after reaching", or "at the time of arrival", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it correct to say "on arrival in" instead of "on arrival at"?

While "on arrival in" can be correct when referring to a country or general area (e.g., "on arrival in France"), "on arrival at" is more precise when specifying a particular location or destination (e.g., "on arrival at the airport").

What is the difference between "on arrival at" and "upon arrival at"?

"On arrival at" and "upon arrival at" are largely interchangeable, with "upon arrival at" being slightly more formal. Both phrases indicate the time or moment of reaching a specific location.