at the floor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the floor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a specific location or position on the ground level of a building or area. Example: "The meeting will take place at the floor where the conference room is located."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I looked at the floor.

The New Yorker

He pointed a thumb at the floor.

The New Yorker

Nargis frowns, looking at the floor.

The Guardian

My sister looked at the floor.

The New Yorker

The nurse looked at the floor.

The New Yorker

She looked steadily at the floor.

The New York Times

Pajarito was looking at the floor.

The New Yorker

The scientist looked at the floor.

The New Yorker

He looks at the floor lamp.

The New York Times

Mr. Coolidge stared at the floor, too.

The New Yorker

But you look down at the floor.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the floor" to specifically indicate position or direction in relation to the floor surface within a defined space, often to convey a sense of dejection or introspection. For example, "She looked at the floor, lost in thought."

Common error

Avoid using "at the floor" when "on the floor" is more appropriate to describe something resting directly on the floor's surface. For example, say "The book is on the floor", not "at the floor".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the floor" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate direction, location, or focus. Ludwig AI confirms its use in diverse contexts, often suggesting a downward gaze or physical proximity to the floor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the floor" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase primarily used to describe the direction of someone's gaze or focus, often implying introspection or dejection. Ludwig AI confirms its varied usage across news, academic, and literary contexts. While its meaning is generally consistent, careful consideration should be given to alternative expressions like "on the floor" depending on the intended nuance. Ludwig examples show the phrase functions to add depth to descriptive sentences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the ground

Focuses on the ground level as the location.

at ground level

Emphasizes being at the base or lowest point.

at the bottom

Highlights the lowest position in a space.

toward the floor

Indicates movement or direction in relation to the floor.

on the deck

Specifies a location on a ship's deck, similar to being on the floor.

at one's feet

Points to the area directly around someone's feet, which is usually on the floor.

on the pavement

Indicates being on a paved surface, like a sidewalk or road.

on the surface

Refers to the top layer of something, similar to being on the floor.

beneath one's gaze

Describes a location that is being looked down upon.

down below

Indicates a lower position relative to the speaker or another object.

FAQs

How can I use "at the floor" in a sentence?

You can use "at the floor" to indicate direction or focus, often implying a sense of sadness, shame, or contemplation. For example, "He stared "at the floor" during the difficult conversation".

When is it better to use "on the floor" instead of "at the floor"?

"On the floor" is typically used when describing an object resting directly on the floor's surface. "At the floor" is used to describe where someone is looking or pointing. For example, "The keys are "on the floor"", but "She gazed "at the floor" during the meeting".

What does it mean when someone is looking "at the floor"?

Looking "at the floor" can imply several things, including sadness, shame, avoidance of eye contact, or deep thought. The specific meaning depends on the context.

What are some alternative ways to describe someone looking "at the floor"?

Instead of saying someone is looking "at the floor", you could say they are looking "downward", "at their feet", or "at the ground". The best option depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.