in the upper left corner

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the upper left corner" is grammatically correct.
It can be used in both spoken and written English. For example, "I saw a spider in the upper left corner of the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

They start in the upper left corner.

The New York Times - Sports

In the upper left corner, the image is numbered "XI".

Yale University

Includes elaborate decorative cartouche in the upper left corner.

Stanford University

In the upper left corner is printed in pencil.

The New Yorker

A square in the upper left corner sputtered black.

The New Yorker

Points of time are indicated in the upper left corner.

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Navigate to Drive and click New in the upper-left corner.

Columbia University

And you know those three round buttons in the upper-left corner of the window?

The New York Times

Most companies use their logo in the upper-left corner.

Forbes

Timing is displayed in the upper-left corner.

Cell Reports

The timing is displayed in the upper-left corner.

Cell Reports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing user interface elements, use "in the upper left corner" to clearly indicate the location of buttons or icons. This provides unambiguous instructions for users.

Common error

Do not use ""in the upper left corner"" when you actually mean the center or another part of the screen/image/document. Be precise with your descriptions to avoid confusing the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the upper left corner" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or verb. It specifies the location of an object or action within a defined space, often a visual display or document, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

31%

Science

27%

News & Media

23%

Less common in

Academia

11%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the upper left corner" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase to indicate a precise location. As Ludwig AI confirms, it follows standard grammar rules, and it’s suitable for a wide range of contexts, including technical documentation, user instructions, and general descriptions. While alternatives like "at the top left" exist, "in the upper left corner" offers a slightly more formal and precise option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the top left

Simplified wording, omitting "upper" and "corner" for brevity.

in the top left-hand corner

Adds "hand" for emphasis on the location.

on the upper left side

Replaces "corner" with "side", focusing on the area rather than the precise point.

at the northwest of

Uses cardinal direction to indicate relative position.

in the northwest area

Similar to northwest of, indicating a general area.

in the upper quadrant

More technical term, divides the area into four equal parts.

in the upper left-hand portion

More formal and descriptive language, emphasizing the extent of the area.

on the top left segment

Divides the area into segments instead of corners.

in the upper left region

Replaces "corner" with "region", indicating a less specific location.

at the northernmost leftmost position

Uses directional and positional adjectives to indicate location.

FAQs

How can I use "in the upper left corner" in a sentence?

You can use "in the upper left corner" to describe the location of something within a visual field, like a document, screen, or image. For example, "Click the icon in the upper left corner to save the file."

What's the difference between "in the upper left corner" and "at the top left"?

"In the upper left corner" is slightly more formal and specific, while "at the top left" is a more casual and concise alternative. The choice depends on the desired level of formality and detail.

Which is correct, "in the upper left corner" or "on the upper left corner"?

"In the upper left corner" is the more standard and grammatically correct prepositional phrase. While "on the upper left corner" might be understood, it is not as common or widely accepted.

What can I say instead of "in the upper left corner"?

You can use alternatives like "at the top left", "in the top left corner", or "on the upper left side" depending on the context and desired level of precision.