Meaning & use
off the coast
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Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
In the sea but close to the land, especially near a particular country or region.
Grammar: Commonly followed by 'of' and a place name: off the coast of Italy.
Patterns
- off the coast of somewhere
- just off the coast
- somewhere off the coast
The ship sank off the coast of Norway.
There are many small islands off the coast.
We saw dolphins swimming off the coast of California.
Common combinations
- just off the coast
- The lighthouse stands just off the coast.
- off the coast of + place
- They found oil off the coast of Brazil.
- a few miles off the coast
- The boat was a few miles off the coast when the storm hit.
- off the coast of Africa
- Pirates were reported off the coast of Africa.
Synonyms and how they differ
- offshore
- Means in the sea away from the land, but it can also mean in another country for business; 'off the coast' is only about physical location near land.
- at sea
- Means on the ocean, not necessarily near any coast; 'off the coast' specifically means near the coast.
Opposites
Commonly confused: off the coast or on the coast?
off the coast vs on the coast
'On the coast' means on the land next to the sea, while 'off the coast' means in the water near the land.
Practice
The rescue team searched for the missing boat ______ the coast of Florida.
Choose one answer.
The boat is in the sea near the coast, so 'off' is correct. 'On the coast' would mean on the land, which does not fit a boat.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “off the coast”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.