from the left of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "from the left of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the position of something relative to another object, indicating that it is located to the left side. Example: "The book is located from the left of the shelf, next to the vase."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Joevin Jones crossed from the left of the area.

The Guardian - Sport

The column is specified by a 0-based column index from the left of the table.

Stanford University

Traditionally, denunciations of speculators come from the left of the political spectrum.

The New York Times

Rhiannon has traditionally drawn support from the left of the party.

The Guardian

The first thing all of us from the left of politics should say is, "Thank you".

The Guardian - Opinion

Ronaldo's ball from the left of the box floats out for a goal kick though.

The Guardian - Sport

Jon Cruddas is tipped to stand as candidate from the left of the party.

The Guardian

The showpiece, however, has come from the left of politics, specifically Lulism in Brazil.

The Guardian - Business

PAGE A23 PAUL KRUGMAN Traditionally, denunciations of speculators come from the left of the political spectrum.

The New York Times

Near the third glass door from the left of the older building, young Roma men hover.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

With support from the left-of-center Social Democrats, the center-right coalition government has staked out a broadly popular anti-refugee position. .

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a series of items or actions, ensure the reference point used for left and right remains consistent. Changing the point of reference can cause confusion.

Common error

Avoid ambiguous situations where the "left" could be interpreted differently depending on the viewer's perspective. For example, in a photograph, specify "from the viewer's left" if needed to clarify the direction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "from the left of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb to specify a location or direction. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase in English. It indicates the position relative to something else that is located on the left side.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "from the left of" is a grammatically correct and very common prepositional phrase used to indicate the position of something relative to another object located on the left. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and numerous examples across news, academic, and scientific sources demonstrate its widespread usage. While simpler alternatives like "to the left of" exist, "from the left of" is particularly useful when describing motion or origination. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by establishing a clear point of reference and maintaining consistency throughout your description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to the left of

A more concise and common alternative, removing "from" and simplifying the phrase.

on the left side of

Direct synonym, substituting "from" with "on" and adding "side" for emphasis on location.

situated to the left of

Highlights the position or location on the left side.

leftward of

A more formal and directional alternative, implying movement or orientation to the left.

coming from the left side of

Similar to 'emerging', but more general; simply states something is coming from that location.

originating from the left side of

Emphasizes the origin or starting point from the left, adding more detail.

beginning from the left of

Focuses on the start or commencement point from the left.

emerging from the left of

Implies something is coming out or appearing from the left side.

on the port side of

Nautical term indicating the left side, useful in specific contexts.

at the larboard side of

An archaic nautical term indicating the left side, rarely used in modern language.

FAQs

How can I use "from the left of" in a sentence?

Use "from the left of" to indicate the position of something relative to another object. For example, "The painting hung "to the left of" the doorway" or "The attack came "from the side of" the building".

What's a simpler way to say "from the left of"?

A more concise alternative is "to the left of", which conveys the same meaning more directly.

When is it better to use "from the left of" over "on the left"?

"From the left of" can be more appropriate when describing motion or origination, while "on the left" is better for static positions. For example, "The runner emerged "from the side of" the track" versus "The building is "to the left of" the park".

Is "from the left of" formal or informal?

"From the left of" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, "to the left of" is generally preferred for its brevity.