in the second drawer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the second drawer" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to specify the location of an item within a particular drawer in a piece of furniture. Example: "The spare batteries are in the second drawer next to the kitchen counter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

My dolls carefully arranged on top of the dresser, my underwear neatly folded in the second drawer.

The New York Times - Magazine

It had always been in the second drawer of the kitchen dresser with a tortoiseshell comb, a pot holder too nice to use, a pair of small kid gloves that had belonged to Verl's famous great-grandmother, a red box with a sliding lid filled with old buttons.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"O.K. Well it should be in the third drawer of his dresser.

The New Yorker

In the first drawer, the target objects aren't present, so it must inspect the next one up.

TechCrunch

Leaving it open, I pulled out the second drawer.

Huffington Post

Stash jewelry and other valuables, and keep them in a place where others wouldn't know you have them, while still in a place where they can possibly find them (e.g. the first drawer in a nightstand, in an obvious chest under your bed).

WikiHow

I mean, I've got a pizza in that second drawer down there that I bought the first night I was here, you know, because they only sell you the big ones, so I eat a pizza for three days, and it's great.

The Guardian - Music

The first drawer to go empty is the sock drawer, as socks are not likely to get sink washed, like lingerie can be in a pinch.

Huffington Post

Store meat in the second crisper drawer.

WikiHow

J's bday Gift is in den second drawer on left.

Huffington Post

In drawers in the second firm's office, investigators from the Manhattan district attorney's office found a treasure trove of handwritten notes on small pieces of paper by the father that made it clear that Senator Velella was indeed a silent and secret partner, sharing not only basic expenses, like utility bills, but also the profits.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the location of an object, consider the type of furniture. For example, use "in the second filing cabinet drawer" for office settings or "in the second nightstand drawer" for bedrooms.

Common error

Ensure you are using ordinal numbers (first, second, third) correctly. Using cardinal numbers (one, two, three) instead can lead to confusion. For example, say "in the second drawer", not "in the two drawer".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the second drawer" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase of location. It modifies a verb or clause by specifying where something is situated. It follows the pattern of preposition + determiner + ordinal adjective + noun to indicate a specific place within a set of drawers. This usage is confirmed by examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the second drawer" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to specify a location within a set of drawers. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves as an adverbial phrase denoting place, suitable for various registers but primarily found in neutral contexts such as news, wikis, and science publications. To ensure clarity in your writing, avoid confusing ordinal and cardinal numbers and consider the specific type of furniture when providing directions. Alternatives include phrases like "within the second drawer" or "inside the second drawer", offering subtle variations in emphasis. Understanding these nuances will help you use "in the second drawer" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within the second drawer

Replaces the preposition "in" with "within", suggesting enclosure or containment within the drawer.

inside the second drawer

Uses "inside" instead of "in", emphasizing the interior location of the drawer.

located in the second drawer

Adds "located" to explicitly state the presence of something in the drawer, making it more descriptive.

in the drawer that is second

Rephrases the sentence to change the word order, but keeping the meaning close.

contained in the second drawer

Replaces "in" with "contained in", highlighting the fact that something is held within the drawer.

stored in the second drawer

Uses "stored" to indicate that something is being kept in the drawer for safekeeping.

in the second compartment

Substitutes "drawer" with "compartment", broadening the context to include any container.

in the lower drawer

Instead of specifying the ordinal position of the drawer, this identifies the general placement.

placed in the second drawer

Uses "placed" to explicitly state the action of putting something in the drawer.

found in the second drawer

Indicates the item was discovered in the specified location.

FAQs

How do I use "in the second drawer" in a sentence?

You can use "in the second drawer" to specify the location of an item within a piece of furniture. For example: "I keep my socks "in the second drawer"".

What are some alternatives to saying "in the second drawer"?

Alternatives include phrases like "within the second drawer", "inside the second drawer", or "located "in the second drawer"", depending on the context and desired emphasis.

Is it correct to say "in the two drawer" instead of "in the second drawer"?

No, "in the two drawer" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is ""in the second drawer"", using the ordinal number "second".

What's the difference between "in the second drawer" and "on the second drawer"?

"In the second drawer" indicates that something is located inside the drawer. "On the second drawer" would mean something is physically on top of the drawer.