at a single side

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a single side" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey the idea of something being located on one side, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The painting was hung at a single side of the room, making it the focal point of the space."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The results indicate that the noise generated at a single side edge of a full scale part span flap can exceed that produced along the whole of the trailing edge of the flap by 3 dB or more.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Configuration adaptation at a single side of the link also provides a smaller search space for the Centralized technique and less channel training for the Distributed technique.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

There were at least a single side in every group that rose to the occasion, and proved the world wrong with their flair and elegance.

Huffington Post

Not a single side at Euro 2008 used it; not a single side who reached the last 16 of the Champions League last season used it; not a single side in the Premier League uses it (although Portsmouth did dabble).

The Guardian - Sport

Fenestration was performed on a single side at L3 and L4.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Different types of β-amino acids have been described: β- or β-building blocks bearing a single side chain either at C2 or C3, and β2, 3-amino acids with both carbon atoms being substituted.

Angewandte Chemie - International Edition

A single side barrette.

Vice

Konzo is but a single side-effect of global malnutrition.

Huffington Post

The extension of CNVRs for 5 Kb at both sides was due to that 5 Kb is similar to half of the median spacing between consecutive probes on Agilent 244A platform, approximately representing the coverage of a probe at one single side.

Plosone

Check out the melt-your-face-hot unboxing of a ten pack of single side, single density floppy disks over at Geekadelphia.

TechCrunch

The race is suddenly so tight in the nine battleground states that each side is looking at a single Congressional district in Maine whose one electoral vote, in the event of an exceedingly tight outcome, could decide whether Mr. Romney or Mr. Obama is in the White House come Jan . 20

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "at a single side" in formal writing. Opt for clearer alternatives like "on one side" or "at one side" to ensure grammatical correctness and improve readability.

Common error

The phrase "at a single side" often arises from a misunderstanding of how prepositions should be used to indicate location. A common mistake is to directly translate thought into words without considering standard English phrasing. Instead of "at a single side", aim for a more direct and universally accepted construction like "on one side".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a single side" functions as a prepositional phrase attempting to describe a location. However, as indicated by Ludwig AI, this phrasing is not correct in standard written English. It aims to specify something situated on one side, but the construction is awkward and unconventional.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at a single side" is flagged by Ludwig AI as not correct in standard written English. While it attempts to denote a location or position on one side, its usage is grammatically questionable. More appropriate alternatives include "on one side" or "at one side". Although found in diverse sources, including news and media, its unconventional structure makes it unsuitable for formal writing. The phrase's rarity and grammatical issues suggest avoiding it in favor of clearer, more accepted alternatives to ensure effective communication and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on one side

This is a more standard and grammatically correct way to indicate something is located or happens on one side.

at one side

Similar to "on one side", this phrase also offers a grammatically sound alternative.

from one side

This alternative focuses on the origin or direction from a particular side.

to one side

This indicates movement or direction towards one side.

on the same side

This emphasizes that multiple elements are located on the same side.

along one edge

This alternative is used when referring to edges instead of general sides.

along one flank

Similar to "along one edge", but specifically for flank

on either side

Implies existence on both sides, in contrast to only one side.

to each side

This describes the location with respect to each side.

on every side

Implies that something is present on all sides.

FAQs

What are some correct alternatives to "at a single side"?

Instead of "at a single side", use phrases like "on one side" or "at one side", which are grammatically sound and commonly accepted.

When is it appropriate to use "at a single side"?

Given that the phrase "at a single side" is considered grammatically incorrect, it's best to avoid using it in both formal and informal contexts. Opt for clearer and more standard alternatives.

Is "at a single side" ever considered acceptable in certain dialects or regions?

While regional variations in language exist, "at a single side" is generally not recognized as a standard or acceptable phrase in English dialects. It is advisable to use grammatically correct alternatives for clarity and effective communication.

How can I ensure I'm using the correct preposition when describing a location or position?

Pay close attention to the standard prepositional usage in English. For indicating a location on one side, use "on one side". For a location relatively nearby use "at one side". Always consult reliable grammar resources or style guides when in doubt.