on the periphery of

USAGE SUMMARY

"on the periphery of" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is located at the edge of an area or group, or on the outer edge of something. For example, "The small town was located on the periphery of the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I've been on the periphery of it without getting anyone to take me seriously".

The Guardian - Music

Two detergents and one lipid molecule were identified on the periphery of the dimer.

eLife

The muscle ipsilateral to the extracted tooth showed flattened nuclei on the periphery of the fibers).

BioMed Research International

The shadowy figures on the periphery of your life.

The New Yorker

protests in Seattle flickered on the periphery of my consciousness.

The New Yorker

They were on the periphery of the world's concerns.

The New York Times

Living on the periphery of the UK had its advantages.

The Guardian

Often they are on the periphery of social groups.

Independent

Stokes clearly does not like to be on the periphery of things.

The Guardian - Sport

The other half of "The Education" is a romance on the periphery of a crime story.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

For weeks, the Jets were on the periphery of trade talks as Favre's drama droned on.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the periphery of" to indicate something is not central or critical to a situation or location. For example, "The research focused on elements on the periphery of the main subject."

Common error

Avoid using "on the periphery of" when you actually mean something is unrelated or completely separate. The phrase implies a degree of connection, albeit a distant one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the periphery of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, indicating the location or position of something in relation to something else. As shown by Ludwig, it suggests that something is situated at the edge, border, or outer limits of something else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on the periphery of" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate that something is located at the edge or is not central to something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for use in various contexts, ranging from news and media to science. While it's crucial to distinguish its meaning from being entirely unrelated, the examples provided by Ludwig show its versatility in describing spatial, conceptual, and social boundaries. Related phrases include "at the edge of" and "peripheral to", providing alternative ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

peripheral to

A more concise and direct synonym, emphasizing the outer or less important aspect.

at the edge of

This alternative focuses on the spatial aspect of being located at the border or boundary.

on the outskirts of

This implies a location just outside a main area or center.

at the margin of

Highlights the idea of being on the boundary or edge of something, often implying a sense of being less important.

around the edges of

This suggests a more dispersed presence along the boundary.

removed from the center of

Emphasizes the distance and separation from the core or main point.

bordering on

This suggests a close proximity to a boundary, almost touching it.

tangential to

Implies a slight or indirect connection to the central topic or area.

outside the scope of

This alternative focuses on excluding something from a specific area or discussion.

adjacent to

Indicates that something is next to or nearby something else.

FAQs

How can I use "on the periphery of" in a sentence?

Use "on the periphery of" to describe something located at the edge of an area or group, or something that is not central. For instance, "The new housing development is located on the periphery of the city."

What are some alternatives to "on the periphery of"?

You can use alternatives such as "at the edge of", "on the outskirts of", or "peripheral to" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "on the periphery of" or "in the center of"?

It depends on what you want to emphasize. "On the periphery of" suggests something is at the edge or not central, while "in the center of" indicates something is central or core. Choose the phrase that best reflects the actual position or importance of what you're describing.

What's the difference between "on the fringe of" and "on the periphery of"?

"On the periphery of" typically refers to a physical location or a conceptual boundary. "On the fringe of" often suggests something is unconventional or radical and not part of the mainstream. Although they can sometimes overlap, their primary connotations differ.