directly to the left

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "directly to the left" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a precise location or direction relative to another object or point of reference. Example: "The exit is located directly to the left of the main entrance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

After left thoracotomy, one electrode was sutured directly to the left ventricular epicardium near the apex while the second electrode was sutured to the pericardium above the right atrium to approximate a limb Lead II ECG.

British Journal of Pharmacology

Hits are detected by photo diodes located directly to the left of each led.

Cornell University

The device (pictured here) consists of a flash chip array (eight black chips) and computation "accelerator" (square piece directly to the left of the array).

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The rebound went directly to the left foot of Emily Janss, who tapped the ball into an unguarded net from 6 yards out.

The New York Times - Sports

Instead, they use optics and other technology built into the display to steer one view directly to the left eye, and the other view to the right.

The New York Times - Tech

Given the DACA and DACB outputs onthe big board, we connect these directly to the left and right channels of a lab speaker and connect the sleeve to ground, as shown in our dac output figure.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

From the Pyramid Stage, Corbyn went directly to the festival's Left Field, where he delivered another impassioned speech.

The Guardian - Music

The other plane, a twin-engine Piper Navajo, carrying a pilot, co-pilot and nine civilian employees of the Navy, had the sun directly to the pilot's left, Mr. Black said.

The New York Times

That day last February with Obama, Scates sat directly to the president's left and told him how he grew sick of street life and returned to school, striving to graduate on time.

The Washington Post

Also, you can't just do a loop of cigarettes, because then each cigarette would only be touching the cigarettes directly to the right and left of it -- the riddle wants every cigarette to touch each other directly, not just be somehow indirectly connected to every other cigarette.

University of California, Berkeley

If you have a Mac, note that the command key is directly to the right or left of the spacebar and looks like a shamrock.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "directly to the left" to provide clear and unambiguous spatial references. Ensure the context provides a clear point of reference for the direction.

Common error

Avoid using "directly to the left" without establishing a clear point of orientation. Ambiguity arises when the observer's perspective isn't evident. Always ensure the reader understands whose 'left' is being referenced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "directly to the left" functions as an adverbial phrase specifying direction and position relative to a reference point. Ludwig shows that this phrase is commonly used to describe the location of objects or entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

27%

News & Media

25%

Science

21%

Less common in

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "directly to the left" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that provides clear spatial orientation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability. While versatile, ensure there's a clear frame of reference to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "immediately to the left" or "precisely to the left" can offer subtle nuances depending on the context. This phrase is frequently encountered in Wiki, News & Media, and Science, reflecting its widespread use across diverse communication styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Immediately to the left

Replaces "directly" with "immediately", emphasizing the lack of distance or delay.

To the immediate left

Combines "immediate" with the standard prepositional phrase for emphasis.

Precisely to the left

Substitutes "directly" with "precisely", stressing accuracy in the position.

Just to the left

Uses "just" instead of "directly", offering a slightly more casual tone.

To the direct left

Slightly less common, but retains the sense of being immediately adjacent.

Right to the left

Emphasizes the position being exactly to the left.

On the left side

Shifts from adverbial to a prepositional phrase specifying the left side.

Adjoining on the left

Implies that the item is connected to or shares a border on the left.

On the larboard side

A nautical term specifying the left side, applicable in specific contexts.

Port side

Simple nautical term for left side.

FAQs

How can I use "directly to the left" in a sentence?

Use "directly to the left" to indicate a precise location relative to a known point. For example: "The entrance is "directly to the left" of the main building."

What are some alternatives to saying "directly to the left"?

You can use phrases like "immediately to the left", "precisely to the left", or "just to the left" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "immediately to the left" or "directly to the left"?

Both "directly to the left" and "immediately to the left" are correct and often interchangeable. The choice depends on the desired emphasis; "immediately" can stress the lack of any intervening space or time.

How does "directly to the left" compare to "on the left side"?

"Directly to the left" implies a more precise and immediate adjacency, while "on the left side" is a more general indication of location on the left, without necessarily being immediately next to something.