either side of

USAGE SUMMARY

"either side of" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means on one side or the other of something, or on both sides. Example: The road was lined with trees on either side, creating a beautiful canopy of green.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Starters are around £5, main courses either side of £10.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

These two stood to attention either side of me.

The Guardian

Two fell into step either side of me.

The Guardian - Music

Age: As old as the hills either side of it.

The Guardian

Sterling scores either side of Markovic strike.

BBC

He clamps his pudgy hands either side of her corset.

Vice

Unsatisfactorily, they were placed either side of the stage.

The Guardian - Music

"There are barricades on either side of my garden.

The Guardian

"There were two men on either side of him.

The Guardian

Looking dazed, they sat on either side of their parents.

The New York Times

Two different contests were played either side of quarter-time.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a range or approximate value, consider using "either side of" to indicate values slightly above or below a specific figure.

Common error

Ensure the noun following "either side of" is singular when referring to a single entity with two sides (e.g., "either side of the road") and plural when referring to multiple entities (e.g., "either side of the mountains").

Linguistic Context

Prepositional Phrase: "Either side of" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating the position or location relative to a reference point. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable, positioning elements spatially or temporally.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "either side of" is a grammatically sound and versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate spatial or temporal relationships. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. Predominantly found in news and media, it's suitable for neutral and descriptive contexts. When using "either side of", ensure correct noun agreement and consider alternatives like "on both flanks of" for more formal settings. With its frequent use and clear meaning, mastering this phrase enhances descriptive writing and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on both flanks of

This alternative emphasizes the flanking position relative to a central point or object.

flanking

This alternative suggests a position on either side, often with a protective or decorative function.

on opposing sides of

This alternative emphasizes the contrast or conflict between the two sides.

on each aspect of

This alternative is more suitable when referring to abstract concepts or arguments.

on either hand of

A more formal or literary way of saying "either side of", suggesting a manual perspective.

bordering

This alternative implies a direct adjacency without necessarily specifying two distinct sides.

adjacent to

This alternative focuses on the immediate proximity without explicitly mentioning two sides.

on the margins of

This alternative indicates a position near the edge or boundary, not necessarily directly on either side.

surrounding

This alternative implies a more complete encirclement rather than just two sides.

around

This alternative is a more general term indicating nearness or encirclement.

FAQs

How do you use "either side of" in a sentence?

You can use "either side of" to describe the position of something in relation to something else, for example, "Trees grew on "either side of the river"".

What's a more formal alternative to "either side of"?

A more formal alternative could be "on both flanks of" or "on each aspect of", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "either sides of" instead of "either side of"?

No, the correct phrasing is "either side of". The word "side" should remain singular because "either" refers to one side or the other.

What does "either side of" mean when referring to time?

When referring to time, "either side of" indicates a period shortly before and after a specific event or time, similar to "around" or "approximately".