at my side

USAGE SUMMARY

'at my side' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a person or object next to you or nearby, such as in a sentence like, "My cat was contentedly curled up at my side."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Should they be at my side?

The New Yorker

Lucio: "He died at my side, asleep.

The New Yorker

"It's always at my side," he said.

The New York Times

He's a pistol at my side," said Malcolm.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I remember my girlfriend at my side, yelling my name".

The New York Times

It felt like having a best friend at my side".

The Guardian - Books

"I liked having him always at my side.

The New York Times

I have my own engineer at my side.

The New York Times - Sports

"I know he is always at my side.

The Guardian - Sport

A man at my side threw a rock at him.

The New York Times

And, perhaps most importantly, my lovely girlfriend is at my side.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at my side" to denote physical presence or metaphorical support, ensuring the context clearly indicates which meaning is intended.

Common error

While "at my side" is acceptable, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. Vary your language using synonyms like "beside me" or "alongside me" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at my side" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating location or manner. It describes where someone or something is in relation to the speaker, or how they are acting (e.g., providing support). Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at my side" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to indicate physical nearness, companionship, or support. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage, showing numerous examples from reliable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian. While appropriate in various contexts, varying your language with synonyms like "beside me" or "alongside me" can enhance your writing. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, maintaining a generally neutral tone suitable for diverse communication needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

By my side

An alternative phrasing that carries the same essential meaning and connotation.

Beside me

A more concise way of indicating physical proximity.

Next to me

Emphasizes the physical adjacency of the speaker and another entity.

Alongside me

Implies a sense of partnership or shared journey.

In my company

Highlights the act of being together or accompanied.

With me

A broader term indicating presence and association.

In close proximity to me

More formal way of highlighting nearness

In my vicinity

Describes the general area of nearness.

Present with me

Indicates that someone or something is currently in your presence.

Attending me

Focuses on support or service being provided.

FAQs

How can I use "at my side" in a sentence?

You can use "at my side" to indicate someone is physically next to you, as in "She walked "at my side" during the parade", or metaphorically, as in "I'm glad to have her "at my side" during this difficult time".

What does "at my side" mean?

"At my side" means being physically next to someone or metaphorically supporting them, indicating companionship, assistance, or protection.

What can I say instead of "at my side"?

You can use alternatives like "beside me", "alongside me", or "next to me" depending on the context.

Is "at my side" formal or informal?

"At my side" is generally considered neutral and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "in my company" might be preferable in highly formal situations.