flanked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flanked" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is positioned on either side of another object or person, often in a protective or supportive manner. Example: "The general was flanked by his top advisors during the press conference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They showed a carefree schoolgirl, at her confirmation, in carnival dress, and then in an open casket flanked by candles, laid out in a white dress, clutching flowers.. "People will ask 'why now, so many years later?' said Anan, who was 16 when her aunt was killed.

The Guardian

After being sentenced, Flowers left court flanked by three minders wearing dark suits and ties.

The Guardian

Just a day after the sudden death of his father, 10-year-old Donald Kennedy found himself sitting in the House of Commons gallery, flanked on one side by his mother, Charles Kennedy's ex-wife Sarah Gurling, and on the other by Gurling's brother, James, to hear tributes to his father.

The Guardian

A true legend, flanked by the men who followed him in the Athletic goal, Iribar was given a standing ovation.

The Guardian - Sport

Surrounded by sugar beet farms and trapped by a huge curve in the river Ouse, it was a village overshadowed by Europe's largest coal-fired power station (its chimney polluted Scandinavia) and flanked by the Selby coalfield.

The Guardian - Film

Flanked by two burly jihadists, Bilardi's pale, skinny arms hold on to an oversize Kalashnikov.

The Guardian

He argues that at Orgreave, where strikers were escorted to a field flanked by police on all sides except where a railway line ran, was arguably the first instance of "kettling", the controversial tactic for controlling crowds during demonstrations.

The Guardian

"We began to realise that everyone we met was either drunk, flanked by an angry dog or undressed," she blithely wrote.

The Guardian

Flanked by a court official, Daynes sat expressionless throughout the hearing, speaking only to enter a guilty plea.

The Guardian

On the second night since the grand jury decision in Ferguson, a circle of about a hundred people once more gathered in Union Square to rally peacefully, chanting "I am Michael Brown!" Flanked by dozens of police officers, the Union Square protesters then marched south, down Broadway, eventually reaching New York city hall where they formed a circle.

The Guardian

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 8.54am AEST23:54 Greens leader Christine Milne, flanked by her deputy Adam Bandt, is in the courtyard telling reporters she has informed Kevin Rudd he has confidence provided there is an election by the end of September.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "flanked", ensure the subjects on either side are clearly defined and contribute to the understanding of the central figure or object's importance or vulnerability. For example, "The CEO, flanked by her legal team, entered the courtroom."

Common error

Avoid using "flanked" when merely describing items next to each other without a sense of support or significance. Instead of "The table was flanked by chairs", which is a neutral statement, consider "The president was "flanked" by advisors", where the position of the advisors highlights the president's importance or support.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "flanked" is as a past participle adjective. It describes the state of being positioned on either side of someone or something, often implying protection, support, or prominence. Ludwig AI examples shows its common usage in news and media to describe important figures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

14%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "flanked" functions as a past participle adjective, commonly found in news and formal contexts. As validated by Ludwig AI, it describes something positioned on either side of another, implying support, protection, or prominence. Grammatically correct and versatile, it's crucial to use "flanked" when spatial arrangement enhances meaning and alternatives like "bordered" or "surrounded" can serve as useful substitutes. Be sure to emphasize the spatial relation and its importance when using the term, and avoid it when it merely indicates that items are next to each other.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

positioned alongside

This phrase clearly indicates the spatial relationship, but lacks the implication of protection or importance that "flanked" can suggest.

bordered

This alternative focuses on the idea of creating a boundary or edge on either side, emphasizing a clear delineation.

placed on either side

A more literal description of the spatial arrangement, without the connotations of support or significance.

surrounded

This term indicates being enclosed on all sides, which, while similar, implies a complete encirclement rather than just positioning on two sides.

standing beside

Similar to "positioned alongside", this phrase describes physical proximity without necessarily implying a specific purpose or arrangement.

accompanied

This suggests presence alongside someone, highlighting the companionship aspect rather than the spatial arrangement.

escorted

This emphasizes being guided or attended by others, adding a sense of protection or formality that "flanked" might not always convey.

guarded

Implies protection or security provided by those on either side, focusing on the defensive aspect.

attended

Highlights the presence of individuals offering support or service, which is a less direct semantic match than spatial positioning.

symmetrically arranged

Focuses on the balanced placement on either side, emphasizing visual harmony rather than support or protection.

FAQs

How is "flanked" typically used in a sentence?

The word "flanked" is used to describe something that has something on either side of it. The surrounding elements often provide a sense of protection, importance, or enhancement. For example, "The speaker was "flanked" by flags."

What words can I use instead of "flanked"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "bordered", "surrounded", or "accompanied". Each of these carries a slightly different nuance, so choose the one that best fits your meaning.

Is it correct to say someone was "flanked" by inanimate objects?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Flanked" can be used to describe the position of inanimate objects as long as the objects contribute to the scene's meaning. For example, a stage "flanked" by columns suggests grandeur.

What's the difference between "flanked" and "surrounded"?

"Flanked" implies something is positioned on either side of something else, while "surrounded" means being enclosed on all sides. For instance, a building might be "flanked" by trees, but an army could be "surrounded" by enemies.