at my arm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at my arm" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey a clear meaning without additional context.
It could potentially be used in a context where you are referring to something physically located near your arm, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "I felt a sudden pain at my arm when I reached for the shelf."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

"Before you rule against us, look at my arm.

The Guardian

"You've got to help," she said, jerking at my arm.

The New Yorker

Look at my arm, look at my stomach, look at these [gun] wounds".

The Guardian

The regret is already on my shoulder like an albatross, pecking at my arm.

The Guardian - Opinion

My mask dragged at my arm, almost too heavy to carry.

The New York Times - Magazine

Max was helping me select apples when someone tugged at my arm.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Look at my arms!" His skin had broken into goosebumps.

The Guardian

Hospital employees surrounded me, poking at my arms like a desperate addict.

The New York Times

Branches scratched at my arms as I whizzed past, until a particularly nefarious tree appeared, cutting diagonally across my path.

The New York Times - Travel

Nobody said, 'Don't look at my arms, they're scarred.'" Marcus Wareing explained that one of his first jobs was preparing shellfish at the Savoy.

Independent

SATURDAY IN AND SATURDAY OUT, THE FUNNIEST COACH IN AMERICA "I looked at those suckers again and I looked at my arms.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something's location relative to your arm, consider using more precise prepositions like "on", "by", or "near" for improved clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "at" when a more specific preposition would better convey the intended spatial relationship with your arm. For instance, instead of "I felt a prick at my arm", consider "I felt a prick on my arm" if it was directly on the skin.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at my arm" functions as a prepositional phrase, attempting to specify a location or relationship. However, its usage is not standard, making it less effective in conveying a clear meaning. As Ludwig AI notes, it's better to use more precise prepositions.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at my arm" is uncommon and can sound awkward in English. As Ludwig AI points out, it's not inherently incorrect, but it lacks the precision of alternatives like "on my arm" or "near my arm". Its grammatical status is questionable, and it appears infrequently in written sources. Therefore, when describing proximity to your arm, consider using more conventional prepositions for clearer communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on my arm

Specifies a location directly on the surface of the arm, rather than simply near it.

by my arm

Indicates a position close to the arm, suggesting nearness without necessarily touching.

near my arm

Emphasizes proximity to the arm, implying a short distance away.

to my arm

Suggests movement or direction towards the arm.

close to my arm

Highlights the closeness of something in relation to the arm.

around my arm

Indicates something encircling or surrounding the arm.

in my arm

Refers to something located inside the arm, such as a feeling or implant.

with my arm

Implies using the arm to perform an action.

concerning my arm

Shifts the focus to discussions or issues related to the arm.

regarding my arm

Similar to "concerning my arm", this phrase indicates the topic of discussion is the arm.

FAQs

What is a more appropriate preposition to use with "my arm"?

Depending on the context, prepositions like "on", "by", "near", or "around" are often better choices than "at" to describe the location or interaction with your arm.

Is it grammatically incorrect to say "at my arm"?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "at my arm" is not idiomatic and sounds awkward. Using prepositions like "on" or "near" provides greater clarity and correctness.

Can you provide examples of how to correctly use prepositions with "my arm"?

Examples include: "The bracelet is "on my arm"", "The dog was standing "by my arm"", or "I felt a breeze "near my arm"".

What does it mean if something is described as being "at my arm"?

The intended meaning is ambiguous without more context. It could imply general proximity, but it's better to use more precise language to avoid confusion.