be flanked by

USAGE SUMMARY

"be flanked by" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to be positioned or bordered by something on either side. Example: The majestic statue in the park was flanked by two rows of colorful flowers, creating a beautiful scene.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Rockrose building will be flanked by two parks.

The New York Times

He will be flanked by two friends, for balance, protection and support.

The New York Times

Rodriguez's personal lawyers will be flanked by ones from the players association.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr Putin may be flanked by China's Xi Jinping, but few other notables.

The Economist

Situated on the corner of Poydras Street and Loyola Avenue, it would be flanked by cool glass towers.

The New York Times - Arts

It will be flanked by parkland, the spine of a 248-mile Industouristsritouristsil for tourists.

The New York Times

It will be flanked by Limón's "Choreographic Offering" (1964) and his signature piece, "The Moor's Pavane" (1949).

The New York Times - Arts

He'll be flanked by two mandarins - Dave Ramsden, his chief economic adviser, and Mark Bowman, director for budget and tax.

The Guardian - Business

A field of more than 2,000 stone pillars of varying dimensions will be flanked by a "documentation center," whose precise role remains unclear.

The New York Times

The couple stand in front of a red-carpeted staircase, on which, their Web site says, brides can be "flanked by two lines of tuxedoed, white-gloved violinists".

The New Yorker

And if tonight's agreement stands, Mr. Sharon is likely to be flanked by two Laborites, Mr. Barak as defense minister and Shimon Peres as foreign minister.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure clarity by specifying the elements flanking the subject. Vague descriptions can weaken the impact of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "be flanked by" metaphorically when a spatial relationship isn't relevant. Stick to literal arrangements to maintain the phrase's descriptive strength and prevent forced imagery. For non-spatial contexts, consider alternatives like "be accompanied by".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be flanked by" functions primarily as a descriptive verb phrase, indicating the spatial arrangement of something being positioned on either side of another object or entity. Ludwig's examples illustrate the common usage in describing physical layouts and arrangements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

23%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be flanked by" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe something being positioned on both sides by other elements. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, primarily in news and media, and science. While it's important to use it literally, the phrase provides a clear and symmetrical relationship, according to Ludwig AI. For alternative expressions, consider "be accompanied by", "be bordered by", and "be surrounded by" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have on either side

A more literal and descriptive way of expressing the same spatial relationship.

be bordered by

Specifically refers to a boundary or edge, whereas "be flanked by" implies being positioned on both sides.

be positioned alongside

Emphasizes placement next to something, but not necessarily on both sides simultaneously.

be lined by

Suggests a linear arrangement along one or both sides, rather than just general proximity.

be accompanied by

Focuses more on the idea of being together or occurring at the same time, rather than a strict spatial positioning on either side.

be set beside

Similar to 'positioned alongside' but can also imply intention or design in the placement.

be placed next to

Implies a more direct and immediate adjacency without necessarily conveying symmetry.

be surrounded by

Suggests enclosure on all sides, rather than just two.

be guarded by

Implies a protective presence on either side, adding a layer of security to the arrangement.

be sheltered by

Conveys that the items on either side provide a form of protection or cover.

FAQs

How can I use "be flanked by" in a sentence?

Use "be flanked by" to describe something positioned between two other things. For example, "The speaker will "be flanked by" advisors on either side of the stage."

What does "be flanked by" mean?

It means to be positioned or bordered on both sides by something. The phrase emphasizes a symmetrical arrangement or protective positioning.

Are there alternatives to "be flanked by"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "be accompanied by", "be bordered by", or "be surrounded by".

Is it appropriate to use "be flanked by" in a formal context?

Yes, "be flanked by" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing spatial arrangements or protective positioning in a literal sense. However, overuse or metaphorical application might reduce its impact.