at left

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at left" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a position or location on the left side of something. Example: "The instructions can be found at left of the main menu."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

(Maze is shown at left).

The New York Times

(Those are her homegrown daffodils at left).

The New Yorker

(Image is at left).

The New York Times - Books

Robbins stayed at left tackle.

The New York Times - Sports

At left is the E-Quad.

Princeton University

An uncorroded coil is shown at left.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

At left is Provost Kent Fuchs.

Cornell University

At left is the house at night.

Stanford University

Murray-Dodge Hall is at left.

Princeton University

I include one picture here at left.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Who does he play at left-back?

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at left" to clearly indicate that an image, diagram, or element is located on the left side of the current context. This is especially useful in technical writing or when referring to figures in a document.

Common error

Avoid using "at left" when the item being referenced is not clearly visible or its position is ambiguous to the reader. Ensure there's a direct visual or contextual relationship to justify the use of the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at left" functions primarily as a spatial prepositional phrase, indicating the location of an object or element in relation to a visual or textual context. As Ludwig AI explains, it specifies that something is situated on the left side.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

33%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at left" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that pinpoints the location of something on the left side. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable across a range of contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. It's most effective when providing directional guidance, especially when referring to visual elements or diagrams. While options like "on the left" or "to the left" are available, "at left" offers a concise and clear option. Its strong presence in authoritative sources underscores its credibility and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the left

More concise, omitting "side".

on the left side

Replaces "at" with "on" and adds "side" for clarity.

to the left

Uses "to" instead of "at", indicating direction.

at the left-hand side

More verbose way to describe position.

leftmost

Adjective indicating the furthest position on the left.

leftward

Single word adverb describing a direction.

to the port

Nautical term for "left".

on the western side

Uses a cardinal direction as a reference.

in the west

Geographic location of something on the left.

on the larboard

Archaic nautical term for "left".

FAQs

How do I use "at left" in a sentence?

Use "at left" to indicate something's position on the left side. For example, "The diagram "at left" illustrates the process."

What are some alternatives to saying "at left"?

You can use alternatives like "on the left", "to the left", or "on the left-hand side" to convey the same meaning as "at left".

Is it correct to say "at the left" instead of "at left"?

While "at the left" isn't grammatically incorrect, "at left" is more concise and commonly used, especially in technical descriptions or image captions.

How does the meaning of "at left" differ from "on the left"?

The phrases "at left" and "on the left" are largely interchangeable. "At left" is slightly more formal and often used when directly referencing a visual element.