online

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "online" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to anything that is connected to or accessible through the Internet, such as websites, applications, services, etc. For example: "We offer online ordering for all of our products."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You can sign up – for free – online here.

The Guardian

Wikipedia says that "sock-puppetry" – creating a fake online identity "for an improper purpose, such as to mislead other editors, disrupt discussions, distort consensus or avoid sanctions" – is not permitted.

The Guardian

Free UK p&p on online orders over £10.

The Guardian

Free UK p&p over £10, online orders only.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Are you a member of our online community?

The Guardian

XKeyscore An NSA program that allows analysts to search vast databases of emails, online chats and browsing histories of millions of individuals, with no prior authorisation.

The Guardian

A blended learning model has been adopted which means all classes involve some form of online study.

The Guardian

Zoe Quinn, the game developer whose online harassment eventually spawned the anti-feminist GamerGate movement, said it was "nice to see Twitter trying to address this issue".

The Guardian - Tech

It said Multimap would complement Virtual Earth, Live Search, Windows Live services, MSN and its new $6.5bn £3.2bnn) acquisition aQuantive, the online marketing group.

The Guardian

Email: [email protected] / Twitter: @gay_alcorn Helen Davidson Darwin reporter Helen most recently worked as an online journalist for SBS world news Australia and was previously a news and interactive journalist for news.com.au, where she live blogged major news events.

The Guardian

A photo of Robert Mugabe falling down the stairs has spread like wildfire online after the 90-year-old Zimbabwe president took a tumble outside Harare airport, where he had been speaking to supporters.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "online" to clearly indicate availability or activity through the Internet or a network. This avoids ambiguity compared to less specific terms.

Common error

Avoid using "online" when the context already implies internet activity. For example, instead of "online banking via the internet", simply use "online banking".

Linguistic Context

The word "online" primarily functions as an adjective describing something that is connected to or available through the internet. Ludwig provides examples such as "online newspapers" and "online courses" demonstrating this adjectival use. According to Ludwig AI, this usage is considered correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "online" is a versatile and very common term primarily used as an adjective to describe something connected to or available through the internet. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It’s primarily found in news, business, and general contexts, suggesting a neutral register. When using "online", be mindful of potential redundancy and ensure the context doesn't already imply internet activity. Consider alternatives like "on the internet", "web-based", or "digitally available" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through the internet

Specifies the medium through which access is provided.

on the internet

More explicit about the network involved.

via the web

Specifies the medium of access.

connected

Focuses on the state of being linked to a network.

internet-accessible

Focuses on the accessibility through the internet.

web-based

Highlights the use of the World Wide Web.

electronically available

Highlights electronic availability.

digitally available

Emphasizes the format of availability.

networked

Highlights the connection to a network.

in digital form

Emphasizes the format of the resource.

FAQs

How can I use "online" in a sentence?

"Online" can be used to describe activities, services, or resources available via the internet. For example, "I prefer to read the "online newspapers"" or "The course is available "online"".

What are some alternatives to using the word "online"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "on the internet", "web-based", or "digitally available".

Is it correct to say "on the internet" instead of "online"?

Yes, "on the internet" is a valid alternative to "online". The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis. "Online" is generally more concise.

What's the difference between "online" and "offline"?

"Online" refers to being connected to the internet or a network, while "offline" indicates being disconnected. For example, "I'll be "online tonight"" means you'll be connected to the internet, whereas "I'll be working offline" means you won't be using the internet.