within its borders

USAGE SUMMARY

"within its borders" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a geographical region, political entity, or other area with defined boundaries. For example, "The laws of the country must be respected within its borders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Nevertheless, several scientifically interesting galaxies lie within its borders; it has spiral, elliptical, and interacting galaxies.

Wikipedia

How many others is it harboring within its borders?

The New York Times

New Jersey is waging an ongoing battle to make it legal within its borders.

The New Yorker

Sudan has rejected foreign military intervention, saying it alone is responsible for security within its borders.

The New York Times

It now insists human traffickers no longer operate within its borders.

The Guardian

It does not allow the sale of alcohol within its borders.

The New York Times - Travel

As now, it will then have roughly one-sixth of all humanity within its borders.

The Economist

Brazil also fears drug trafficking within its borders.

The New York Times

Each country introduced its own coins exclusively within its borders.

The New York Times - Science

But not all the newcomers will stay within its borders.

The Economist

But Syria swiftly announced that there had been no attacks within its borders.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "within its borders" when you want to emphasize the geographical or political boundaries of a region or nation. It's particularly useful when discussing issues related to sovereignty, immigration, or legal jurisdiction.

Common error

Avoid using "within its borders" when a more general term like "in the country" or "domestically" would suffice. The phrase is most effective when the specific boundaries are relevant to the topic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "within its borders" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb to specify location or scope. It indicates that something exists, occurs, or is controlled inside the defined boundaries of a particular entity. Ludwig examples show it applied to geographical regions, political entities and also to abstract concepts such as cultural industry.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "within its borders" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to specify that something is located or occurs inside the boundaries of a particular entity. As shown in the Ludwig examples, this phrase is most frequently used in news and media to discuss political, geographical, and legal matters. It is of neutral register and is used to effectively communicate the defined scope of the subject, with the semantic meaning clarified by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inside its boundaries

Replaces "borders" with "boundaries", offering a more general term for defined limits.

within its territory

Substitutes "borders" with "territory", focusing on the area controlled by a specific entity.

in its domain

Uses "domain" to refer to the sphere of influence or control, rather than a physical boundary.

on its land

Focuses on the physical landmass within the defined area.

nationally

Emphasizes the national scope or reach, rather than specific boundaries.

domestically

Highlights activities or issues occurring within a country's internal affairs.

in the country

A more general phrase indicating location within a nation.

internally

Refers to issues or actions happening inside an organization or entity, not necessarily a geographical area.

in its realm

Uses "realm" to suggest a kingdom or sphere of influence, which may not have strict borders.

under its jurisdiction

Indicates legal or administrative control, rather than physical location.

FAQs

How can I use "within its borders" in a sentence?

You can use "within its borders" to describe activities, laws, or populations that are contained inside a specific geographical or political area. For example: "The government regulates all commerce "within its borders"".

What are some alternatives to "within its borders"?

Alternatives include "inside its boundaries", "within its territory", or "in its domain", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "within its borders" or "inside its borders"?

"Within its borders" and "inside its borders" are largely interchangeable. "Within" may be slightly more formal, but both are grammatically correct and commonly used.

When should I use "within its borders" instead of "throughout the country"?

Use "within its borders" when you want to emphasize the defined boundaries of a region or nation. Use "throughout the country" when you're referring to something that is widespread or pervasive across the entire nation, without specific regard to the borders themselves.