at a right angle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a right angle" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in geometry or technical contexts to describe the relationship between two lines or surfaces that meet to form a 90-degree angle. Example: "The two walls of the room meet at a right angle, creating a perfect corner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As marked in the figure, the lines intersect at a right angle and are therefore perpendicular.

Stanford University

When we rotate this side here, but the angle doesn't stay at a right angle.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

His femur, or thighbone, jutted out from his hip at a right angle.

The New York Times

Nothing is measured with a ruler and cut at a right angle".

The New York Times

Dr. Dudzinski said that when dolphins approach at a right angle it's an aggressive behavior.

The New York Times

Squat with your legs at a right angle with your back flat against wall.

The Guardian

Coming off the vena cava at a right angle was the renal vein.

The New Yorker

And she likes to see a desk at a right angle to a wall.

The New York Times

The first arrowhead is formed by bending the wire at a right angle (Fig. 3).

Nature

Merged at a right angle, the rear building was darker, with smaller windows and narrower proportions.

The New York Times - Magazine

A simple example is a ball that hits a side at a right angle.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing spatial arrangements or geometric properties, use "at a right angle" to clearly indicate a 90-degree relationship between two elements. This term is precise and widely understood.

Common error

Avoid using "at a right angle" interchangeably with "parallel". The former indicates perpendicularity (90 degrees), while the latter indicates that lines or planes never intersect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a right angle" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses by specifying the manner or direction in which an action is performed or a relationship exists. Ludwig shows it describing physical orientations or directional relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

29%

Wiki

22%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at a right angle" is a commonly used prepositional phrase to accurately define that two lines, surfaces or objects meet at a 90-degree angle. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct. It appears most frequently in news and media, science, and wiki contexts, indicating its widespread applicability. Related terms include "perpendicularly" and "at 90 degrees", offering alternative ways to express the same spatial relationship. It’s crucial to avoid confusing this phrase with "parallel". Using "at a right angle" correctly will enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a 90-degree angle

Fully specifies the measurement of the angle.

forming a right angle

Focuses on the action of creating the angle.

perpendicularly

Emphasizes the directional aspect, implying lines or planes intersecting at a 90-degree angle.

at 90 degrees

Uses numerical specification for the angle.

at right angles

Plural form, indicating more than one right angle.

orthogonal

A more formal, technical term often used in mathematics and physics.

at a normal incidence

Used often in optics and wave mechanics to describe a ray approaching a surface.

squarely

Informal, implying a direct or head-on alignment.

in quadrature

A technical term, typically used in electrical engineering.

vertically

Indicates a perpendicular relationship to the horizontal plane.

FAQs

How can I use "at a right angle" in a sentence?

Use "at a right angle" to describe the relationship between two lines or surfaces that meet to form a 90-degree angle. For example, "The walls of the room meet "at a right angle"".

What is the difference between "at a right angle" and "perpendicular"?

"At a right angle" is a prepositional phrase that describes the relationship between two intersecting lines or surfaces. "Perpendicular" is an adjective that describes something being at a right angle to something else. The terms can often be used interchangeably, but "perpendicular" typically requires a more specific subject. You can say: The lines cross "at a right angle" to each other.

What are some alternatives to saying "at a right angle"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "perpendicularly", "at 90 degrees", or "orthogonal".

Is it correct to say "at right angles" instead of "at a right angle"?

Yes, "at right angles" is also correct. The phrase "at right angles" suggests you are referring to two or more angles, while ""at a right angle"" refers to just one. The subtle distinction in meaning can be important.