Meaning & use
New York
Last updated
Meanings
proper nounproper
A state in the northeastern United States, whose largest city is also called New York.
Grammar: Used as a name, so it takes no article: 'New York is big', not 'the New York'.
Patterns
- in New York
- New York State
- upstate New York
My cousin moved to New York for a new job.
New York is known for its busy cities and beautiful mountains.
We drove through New York on our way to Canada.
proper nounproper
The largest city in the United States, located in southeastern New York State.
Grammar: Often short for New York City; no article is used: 'I love New York.'
Patterns
- in New York
- visit New York
- New York City
She grew up in New York and knows the subway system well.
We spent a week in New York seeing museums and shows.
New York never seems to sleep.
Common combinations
- New York City
- New York City has five boroughs.
- New York State
- Albany is the capital of New York State.
- upstate New York
- They have a farm in upstate New York.
- New Yorker
- A New Yorker gave us directions.
Synonyms and how they differ
- NYC
- An abbreviation for New York City only, not for the state.
- the Big Apple
- An informal nickname for New York City; it would sound odd for the state.
Word family
- New Yorker noun
- A person who lives in or comes from New York.
Commonly confused: New York or New England?
New York vs New England
New England is a region made up of six states (like Maine and Vermont), not a single state. New York is not part of New England.
Practice
Which sentence uses the name correctly?
Choose one answer.
Names of places like New York do not take an article or a plural, so 'I went to New York last summer' is correct. The other options wrongly add 'the', 'a', or an -s.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “New York”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.