Off the Coast Of (Meaning and Use)

“Off the coast of” means near the coast in the sea. We usually describe “islands” as “off the coast of” a bigger landmass. 

Tasmania is off the coast of Australia

Off the coast of 

“Off the coast of” is usually near the coast of a bigger landmass. We use “off the coast” to describe something that is in the water and we use the bigger place as a reference point so people can understand where we are talking about. 

Examples

There was an oil spill off the coast of France.

There is a huge tornado off the coast of Florida

Clare Island is an island off the coast of Mayo in Ireland. 

The ship is anchored off the coast of Greenland.

The whales were seen off the coast of Argentina. 

 

Conor