by our left

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by our left" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a direction or position relative to the speaker's left side, often in navigational or descriptive contexts. Example: "The park entrance is just by our left as we walk down the street."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

As we came out, we saw the impact of an even bigger bomb on our left, by the start of the taxi rank.

The Guardian

At 12 35 we heard Piro barking loudly, closing in on the woods by the lake to our left.

Forbes

El Al Airlines flew us from LA to Tel Aviv (non-stop in 15 hours, amazingly efficient and comfortable), where my producer Simon Griffith (middle) and I were met by our Israeli guide, Benny Dagan (left).

Huffington Post

Interestingly, when we focused on movement errors committed by our right-handed sample, left-hand movements were associated with smaller errors than right-hand movements under the no-visual feedback conditions, whereas no differences emerged under the visual feedback conditions.

Plosone

"If anything, this year has taught us that some communities feel left behind by our national economy and politics.

The Guardian

Indeed, similar (but more subtle) increases in sensitivity as a function of wager size were predicted by our model (Fig. 5a, left panel).

Consciousness and Cognition

The grapes were gone in a few hours, and passers-by left notes of gratitude.

The New York Times - Science

We suggest that the processing scheme suggested by our data (global left; local bilateral) can account equally well for the pattern of results reported in previously published neuropsychological cases [5] [7].

Plosone

If the administration of radiotherapy increased this level of risk by 25% (as indicated by our left/right comparison), then the risk of cardiovascular death would increase by some 5 percentage points to a cumulative absolute risk of almost 30%.

BMC Cancer

In our hands, tumor implantation by left lateral laparoscopy followed by repeated visualization of tumor growth by right lateral thoracotomy yield the most reproducible results.

Plosone

On your own website you've written that "people of faith have been systematically marginalized in America through a sustained effort by the left to change our common culture and give secular values the authority of law".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by our left" to indicate a specific location or direction, especially when describing a scene or giving instructions where precision is needed. This phrase is more formal than alternatives like "on our left".

Common error

Avoid using "by our left" interchangeably with "on our left" without considering the context. While similar, "by" implies proximity and a more defined location, while "on" can be more general. For example, prefer "The entrance is right by our left" over "The entrance is on our left".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by our left" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by indicating a specific location or direction relative to the speaker's or a group's left side. This phrase indicates proximity and orientation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by our left" functions as a prepositional phrase that indicates the specific location or direction of something relative to the speaker's left side. While grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig, its usage is relatively rare. It is most frequently found in news and media and scientific contexts. Alternative phrases, such as "on our left" or "to the left of us", offer similar meanings and may be more common in everyday conversation. Consider the specific context to choose the most appropriate phrase for clear and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on our left

Replaces "by" with "on", indicating a location directly on the left side.

on our left-hand side

A more descriptive and emphatic version of "on our left".

to the left of us

Uses a more formal and explicit prepositional phrase.

left of us

A shortened, more casual version of "to the left of us".

at our left

Uses "at" to indicate a more general location to the left.

on the larboard side

Nautical term for the left side of a vessel, providing a specific context.

to our port side

A nautical alternative, using "port" to indicate left.

to the near side

Indicates the closest side, assuming it's the left.

on the left flank

Military or tactical term for the left side.

on the sinister side

A more archaic or formal term for the left side.

FAQs

What does "by our left" mean?

The phrase "by our left" indicates a position or location that is situated on the left side relative to the speaker or a group of people. It is used to describe where something is in relation to their left-hand side.

What's the difference between "by our left" and "to our left"?

While both phrases indicate a location on the left side, "by our left" suggests the location is very close or immediately adjacent to the left side, whereas "to our left" simply indicates direction without implying proximity.

Which is a more formal phrase, "by our left" or "on our left"?

"By our left" tends to be slightly more formal and precise than "on our left", implying a more specific and immediate location. "On our left" is generally acceptable in most contexts.

What can I say instead of "by our left" to describe a location?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "on our left", "to the left of us", or "left of us" to convey a similar meaning. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to express.