on the coast

USAGE SUMMARY

"on the coast" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it anytime you want to refer to a location in close proximity to a coastline. For example: "We went camping on the coast over the weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On the coast, those numbers go up.

The New Yorker

On the coast.

Cornell University

; less abundant on the coast.

Cornell University

We're right on the coast.

The New York Times

Major flooding on the coast.

The Guardian

He remembered being on the coast.

The Guardian

And don't forget Dublin's on the coast.

The Guardian - Travel

Savannah, that's on the coast, I think".

The New York Times

It's not even on the coast.

The Guardian - Travel

Thankfully I was on the coast.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Pambula on the coast was next stop.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific location, combine "on the coast" with a place name for clarity, such as "on the coast of California".

Common error

Avoid using "on the coast" when referring to locations significantly inland from the immediate coastline. Be precise about the actual distance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the coast" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase of location, modifying verbs or nouns to indicate where something is situated relative to the sea. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a multitude of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on the coast" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to denote a location near the sea. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent and correct usage across a broad spectrum of contexts, from academic and encyclopedic sources to news media. While the phrase is versatile, it's important to use it accurately, ensuring the location genuinely borders the sea or ocean. Alternatives like "along the shoreline" or "by the sea" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Remember, clarity and specificity are key when describing locations using "on the coast".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by the coast

Slightly different preposition but carries the same meaning.

along the shoreline

This alternative emphasizes the linear aspect of the coast.

in the coastal area

A more formal and descriptive way of saying "on the coast".

adjacent to the coast

A more formal way to describe being next to the coast.

by the sea

A more poetic and general way of indicating a coastal location.

close to the ocean

Highlights the proximity to the ocean rather than just the coast.

bordering the sea

Emphasizes the boundary aspect of the coast.

near the beach

Focuses on the sandy part of the coast.

at the seaside

Commonly used in British English to denote a coastal location.

in a coastal town

Specifies that the location is within a town situated on the coast.

FAQs

How can I use "on the coast" in a sentence?

You can use "on the coast" to describe a location near the sea, such as "The hotel is located "on the coast"" or "We enjoyed our vacation "on the coast" this summer".

What are some alternatives to "on the coast"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "along the shoreline", "by the sea", or "in the coastal area".

Is it correct to say "at the coast" instead of "on the coast"?

While "at the coast" might be acceptable in some informal contexts, ""on the coast"" is the more standard and widely recognized phrasing.

What does it mean to say something is "on the coast"?

Saying something is ""on the coast"" means it is located in a region adjacent to the sea or ocean, typically referring to the area where land meets the water.