by the bed

USAGE SUMMARY

"by the bed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the location of something relative to a bed. For example: She had placed her cellphone by the bed before going to sleep.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A suitcase sat open by the bed.

The New York Times

There's no handrail by the bed".

The New York Times - Health

Of course, you have paper and pencil by the bed.

Stanford University

USB ports by the bed are a bonus.

The Telegraph

Vivian was in a bassinet by the bed.

The New Yorker

Hattie was sitting on the floor by the bed.

The Guardian

She was fully dressed and standing by the bed.

The New York Times

They came over and stood by the bed.

The Economist

On the table by the bed, a pile of books.

The New Yorker

The other children were hiding by the bed.

The New York Times

Glass was standing by the bed, buttoning his shirt.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by the bed" to clearly indicate an object's position relative to the bed. This helps create a vivid image for your readers. For example, instead of saying "the book was there", specify "the book was by the bed".

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring the phrase "by the bed" is correctly placed in the sentence so it clearly modifies the intended noun or verb. Incorrect placement can lead to confusion. For example, "She ate the apple by the bed" could imply the apple was eaten near the bed, not that the apple itself was located there.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by the bed" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying nouns or verbs to indicate location or proximity. It specifies where something is situated in relation to a bed, as shown in Ludwig's examples like "a pile of books by the bed" or "standing by the bed".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

18%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the prepositional phrase "by the bed" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe the location of something in proximity to a bed. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. Its primary function is to provide spatial context, and it is appropriate for a wide range of registers, from news and media to academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure it clearly modifies the intended noun or verb to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "near the bed" or "at the bedside" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

near the bed

Uses a synonym for "by" to indicate a similar location.

at the bedside

Emphasizes the area immediately next to the bed.

next to the bed

Indicates adjacency to the bed.

beside the bed

A more formal synonym for "by the bed".

close to the bed

Indicates a short distance from the bed.

adjacent to the bed

A more formal term specifying that something is next to the bed.

in proximity to the bed

A longer, more formal way of saying "near the bed".

in the vicinity of the bed

Indicates being in the general area around the bed.

at the foot of the bed

Specifies the location as being at the end of the bed.

within reach of the bed

Suggests something is close enough to be easily accessed from the bed.

FAQs

How is "by the bed" used in a sentence?

"By the bed" indicates the location of something near a bed. For example, "I keep a glass of water "by the bed" at night."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "by the bed"?

You can use phrases like "near the bed", "at the bedside", or "next to the bed", depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it correct to say "beside the bed" instead of "by the bed"?

Yes, "beside the bed" is a perfectly acceptable alternative to "by the bed". They both mean essentially the same thing: next to or close to the bed.

What's the difference between "by the bed" and "in the bed"?

"By the bed" means near or next to the bed, while "in the bed" means inside the bed, typically referring to someone or something located on or under the bed coverings.