by the wall

USAGE SUMMARY

'by the wall' is a perfectly valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe where something or someone is located. For example, "The painting hung by the wall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When icicles hang by the wall,.

The New Yorker

Contractionists go by the Wall Street Rule.

Harvard Business Review

Professor Andrew Dolkart was interviewed by the Wall Street Journal.

Columbia University

The inquiry was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

The Washington Post

The memo was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

The New York Times

The plan was reported yesterday by The Wall Street Journal.

The New York Times

And many companies remain spooked by the Wall Street collapse.

The New York Times

The discussions were first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

The New York Times - Tech

We are besieged by the wall," he said.

The Guardian

"They had me on a chair by the wall.

The Guardian

The suit was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by the wall" to clearly indicate a position or location in relation to a wall. Ensure that the context provides enough information to understand which wall is being referenced, especially if there are multiple walls present.

Common error

Do not use "by the wall" without sufficient context. Ensure the reader knows which wall you are referring to; otherwise, use a more specific description (e.g., "by the north wall" or "by the wall near the entrance").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by the wall" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb to indicate location or position. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its usage in various contexts, confirming its established grammatical role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by the wall" is a prepositional phrase commonly used to describe a location relative to a wall. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and finds it frequently used in contexts such as news reporting and academic writing. The phrase's neutral formality makes it suitable for various communication styles. When using "by the wall", ensure the context makes clear which wall is being referenced to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

next to the wall

This alternative specifies direct adjacency, similar to the original phrase.

along the wall

This suggests movement or placement parallel to the wall's length.

at the side of the wall

This highlights the position being at the wall's lateral edge.

close to the wall

Implies nearness without direct contact, a slightly broader meaning.

near the wall

Indicates proximity but is more general than "next to".

against the wall

Suggests direct contact or leaning on the wall.

adjacent to the wall

A more formal way of saying "next to the wall".

by the side wall

Specifies a side wall, adding more detail.

in proximity to the wall

A formal and somewhat indirect way of indicating nearness.

in the vicinity of the wall

Similar to 'in proximity', suggesting a general area.

FAQs

How can I use "by the wall" in a sentence?

You can use "by the wall" to describe the location of something or someone. For example, "He was standing "by the wall", observing the crowd" or "The painting hung "by the wall" in the living room".

What are some alternatives to saying "by the wall"?

Alternatives include phrases like "next to the wall", "near the wall", or "along the wall", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "next to the wall" or "by the wall"?

"Next to the wall" implies closer proximity than ""by the wall"". The best choice depends on how precise you need to be about the location.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "by the wall"?

It's best to avoid ""by the wall"" when the specific wall being referenced is unclear or ambiguous. In such cases, provide more context or use a more descriptive phrase.