suburbs or outskirts?

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the-good-guy

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Hello
What is the difference between suburbs and outskirts?
In the following senctence you can choose between suburbs and outskirts and outskirts is marked as the right answer:
My uncle and his family have just moved into a new house on the outskirts of the city.
Thank you.
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Chicken Sandwich

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NOT A TEACHER

"on the outskirts (of something)" is idiomatic. See here. ". . . . a new house on the suburbs of the city" doesn't work.

 
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SoothingDave

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A suburb need not be on the outskirts of the city. Some suburbs only have other suburbs as neighbors.

Also, you would be "on" the outskirts, but "in" the suburbs.
 
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