on board

USAGE SUMMARY

"on board" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to mean a general agreement or acceptance of something (e.g., ideas, plans, etc.). For example, "We all agreed to go on board with the new project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

No one on board survived.

Los Angeles Times

No-one was on board.

BBC

"So hop on board.

The New York Times

Look, I'm on board.

The New Yorker

Are they on board?

The New York Times

Industry got on board".

The New York Times

I'm on board now".

The New York Times - Sports

Everybody was on board!

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

On-board units.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Do an on-board survey.

Los Angeles Times

FOB Free-on-Board.

FAO

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on board" to indicate agreement or support, ensure the context clearly communicates whether it's a general consensus or a specific endorsement. If you want to emphasize official approval use "endorsing" or "in support".

Common error

Avoid assuming that someone is fully "on board" simply because they've expressed initial interest. Confirm their commitment and understanding of the details to prevent misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on board" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate location (being physically present) or agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

26%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on board" is a versatile expression with two primary meanings: physical presence on a vehicle and agreement or support. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically correct and widely used. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, as well as formal business settings. When indicating agreement, alternatives like "in agreement" or "in support" can provide more emphasis. Remember to confirm the level of commitment when using "on board" to avoid misinterpretations. Whether referring to passengers or stakeholders, "on board" is a common and easily understood phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aboard

Indicates physical presence on a vehicle or vessel, similar to one meaning of "on board".

in agreement

Focuses on the aspect of agreeing or supporting an idea or plan.

in support

Highlights the supportive aspect, emphasizing backing an idea or cause.

participating

Emphasizes involvement or taking part in an activity or project.

involved

Similar to participating, but can also imply a deeper level of engagement.

in the loop

Indicates being informed and included in communications and decisions.

in attendance

Focuses on physical presence at a meeting or event.

part of the team

Highlights belonging and contributing to a group effort.

signed up

Implies a formal commitment to participate or support.

endorsing

Stresses public approval and support of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "on board" to indicate physical presence (e.g., "How many passengers are on board?") or to express agreement (e.g., "The team is on board with the new strategy.").

What's a good alternative to saying "on board" when expressing agreement?

Instead of "on board", you can use alternatives like "in agreement", "in support", or "signed up", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "on board" to describe being physically present on a ship or airplane?

Yes, "on board" is perfectly acceptable and commonly used to describe being physically present on a vehicle like a ship, plane, or train.

What's the difference between "on board" and "aboard"?

"Aboard" also means on a ship, aircraft, train, or other vehicle. While they are similar, "on board" is often used more broadly to indicate agreement or participation, while "aboard" primarily refers to physical presence.