at one shoulder

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at one shoulder" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a position or location relative to a person's shoulder, often in contexts related to clothing or physical positioning. Example: "The bag hung loosely at one shoulder, making it easy for her to carry while walking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

When she finished recording, she was joined by Anjula Acharia, a talent manager and venture capitalist, who complimented her pink gown, which fastened at one shoulder with a bow of Oldenburgian proportions.

The New Yorker

No less impressive is a small early 16th-century Inka female figure from Chile, whose silver body is wrapped in a mantle of vicuna wool over a garment held at one shoulder by a silver tupu, a woman's dress pin.

The New York Times - Arts

Snowy also has a conscience, which comes into play whenever he finds some spilt whisky, and works just like Captain Haddock's human conscience: a devil appears at one shoulder, urging him to drink; an angel appears at the other, urging him to refrain.

The Guardian - Books

Arrange the sling so that the short ends meet at one shoulder and the middle of the sling is on your hip.

WikiHow

With hemlines on kicky skirts and brief dresses short and sweet, the design duo placed their bold gestures on the upper part of the body with the giant bows at one shoulder or at the collarbone.

The New York Times

A monkey toys with the vine at one shoulder; a black cat stares from behind the other.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

[ M−H]− formed upon dissociative electron attachment (DEA) to alanine shows at electron energies below 3 eV an asymmetric peak structure with the steep onset starting at about 0.8 eV, a maximum at about 1.25 eV, and at least one shoulder at about 1.52 eV on the high-energy side.

Chemistry - A European Journal

The authors found that 24% of participants reported at least one shoulder injury in the last 6 months of practice, with an injury rate of 1.9 per 1000 h.

Sports Medicine - Open

2016 Summitt [61] Injury risk Trained people (n = 187) By electronic questionnaire with people who had trained in CrossFit affiliates Descriptive epidemiological study 24% of practitioners had suffered at least one shoulder injury in the last 6 months.

Sports Medicine - Open

We extracted data from the SHCR for all individuals who had been diagnosed with at least one shoulder pain diagnosis during 2006.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Thirty individuals who fulfilled our inclusion criteria regarding at least one shoulder were found during a study of the prevalence of asymptomatic rotator cuff tears (Moosmayer et al. 2009).

Acta Orthopaedica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing clothing designs, use "at one shoulder" to specifically indicate an asymmetrical design or fastening, as opposed to a symmetrical one. For example: "The dress was fastened "at one shoulder" with a decorative brooch."

Common error

Avoid using "at one shoulder" when you mean something is generally near the shoulder. Instead, use "on the shoulder" or "near the shoulder" for general proximity. "At one shoulder" implies a specific design or placement affecting only one side.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at one shoulder" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate location or position. Ludwig AI confirms that this usage is grammatically correct and well-supported by examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at one shoulder" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate a specific location or design feature related to a single shoulder. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness is well-supported by examples from diverse sources including News & Media, Science, and Wiki. While "on one shoulder" is a close alternative, "at one shoulder" often implies an intentional design or attachment. Understanding its function helps writers use it effectively to describe asymmetrical designs or precise placements, and should be used carefully to avoid being used incorrectly where the intention is to communicate general proximity. Common errors in using the phrase incorrectly are described in the most common error to avoid section.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on one shoulder

This alternative is a more common and direct way to express the same location.

over one shoulder

This suggests draping or carrying something across the shoulder.

resting on a shoulder

This implies weight or contact with the shoulder.

draped over the shoulder

Describes something loosely placed across the shoulder.

across one shoulder

Indicates something extending from one point to another over the shoulder.

by the shoulder

Indicates proximity or being located near the shoulder

near the shoulder

This alternative directly refers to a location close to the shoulder.

shoulder-adjacent

A more technical or descriptive term for something next to the shoulder.

shoulder-level

Indicates something is at the same height as the shoulder.

beside the shoulder

Similar to 'near the shoulder', but can imply a slightly different spatial relationship.

FAQs

How can I use "at one shoulder" in a sentence?

The phrase "at one shoulder" describes something located or designed near a shoulder. Example: "The dress featured a large bow "at one shoulder"".

What are some alternatives to saying "at one shoulder"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "on one shoulder", "over one shoulder", or "near the shoulder".

Is it more correct to say "at one shoulder" or "on one shoulder"?

Both phrases are grammatically sound, but "on one shoulder" generally implies something resting there, while "at one shoulder" often refers to design features or attachments. Consider the intended meaning when selecting the phrase.

What does "at one shoulder" imply in the context of clothing?

In fashion, "at one shoulder" typically refers to a garment with an asymmetrical design, such as a "one-shoulder dress" or a strap that is attached to only one side of the garment.