Meaning & use
to be located
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Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
To be in a particular place; to have a particular position.
Grammar: Used with a place phrase after it, often with 'in', 'on', 'at', or 'near'. The phrase itself does not take an object.
Patterns
- to be located in something
- to be located on something
- to be located at something
- to be located near something
The library is located in the center of the campus.
Their new house is located on a quiet street near the park.
The factory is located at the edge of town.
phrasefixed phrase
To be found or discovered in a particular part of something, especially after searching.
Grammar: Often used for parts of the body or objects within something. The place is usually introduced with 'in' or 'on'.
Patterns
- to be located in something
- to be located on something
The pain is located in the lower back.
The switch is located on the left side of the machine.
Common combinations
- centrally located
- The hotel is centrally located, close to all the main attractions.
- conveniently located
- The apartment is conveniently located near the subway station.
- be located in the heart of
- The restaurant is located in the heart of the old town.
- be located close to
- The school is located close to the shopping center.
Synonyms and how they differ
- be situated
- More formal than 'be located' and often used for buildings or towns in official descriptions.
- be positioned
- Focuses on the exact placement of something, often used for objects rather than places.
- be placed
- Suggests someone put something there deliberately; less common for buildings.
Word family
Commonly confused: to be located or be located at?
to be located vs be located at
Use 'at' for a specific point or building, 'in' for a larger area, and 'on' for a surface or street.
Practice
The new office is located ___ the fifth floor of the building.
Choose one answer.
We use 'on' for a particular floor of a building. 'In' would suggest inside the floor itself, 'at' would point to the building as a whole, and 'by' means next to, which does not fit here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “to be located”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.