just left of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just left of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a position or location that is slightly to the left of a reference point. Example: "The painting is just left of the window, creating a nice balance in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Following the Dodgers' two-run sixth, Federowicz nearly cut the deficit to three runs, hooking Edgmer Escalona's hanging slider just left of the left-field foul pole with two outs in the seventh.

Los Angeles Times

In the Northern Hemisphere, it'll be just left of the hourglass, as if the upper left hand star is pointing to it.

WikiHow

The left-hand form is large and round, and just left of the center.

Huffington Post

Divock Origi, sent on on the second half, dribbled down the left side and handed off to Eden Hazard, who proceeded to the end line, just left of the net.

Los Angeles Times

"Just left of the flag?" Wie said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Just left of the Big Dipper".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

An upright piano stands just left of stage center.

The New York Times

Lincoln sits just left of center, proclamation and quill in hand.

The New York Times

Aim just left of black tower with white top visible on horizon.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The stylus docks in the back of the device just left of the curved screen.

The Guardian - Tech

Put an object just left of your line so that if you pull it, you'll hit that.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just left of" when you want to pinpoint a location with a slight deviation to the left of a reference point. It's useful for providing clear directional instructions or descriptions.

Common error

While "just left of" is perfectly acceptable, excessive use can make your writing sound repetitive. In formal contexts, consider using more precise or varied language, such as "slightly to the left of" or specifying the angle or distance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just left of" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or noun phrase to indicate the position of something relative to a reference point. This is confirmed by Ludwig, which provides numerous examples showing its descriptive usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

9%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just left of" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe a location slightly to the left of a reference point. As affirmed by Ludwig, it appears frequently in News & Media and Wiki sources, indicating its broad applicability. While effective for general descriptions, more precise language might be preferred in formal or scientific contexts. Alternatives include "slightly to the left of" or "a bit left of". Remember to use it judiciously to maintain clarity and avoid repetition in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly to the left of

Emphasizes a minor deviation to the left.

a bit left of

More informal way of expressing a position slightly to the left.

to the near left of

Highlights proximity to the left.

immediately left of

Indicates a direct adjacency to the left.

close to the left of

Emphasizes the closeness of the position to the left.

on the left side of

More general and less precise than "just left of".

marginally left of

Highlights a slight difference in position to the left.

a hair's breadth left of

Implies a very small distance to the left.

on the western side of

Uses cardinal direction instead of 'left'.

in the west of

A more general directional reference.

FAQs

How can I use "just left of" in a sentence?

Use "just left of" to describe something's location relative to a specific point. For instance, "The vase is positioned "just left of" the painting."

What can I say instead of "just left of"?

You can use alternatives like "slightly to the left of", "a bit left of", or "to the near left of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "slightly to the left" instead of "just left of"?

Yes, "slightly to the left" is a correct and more formal alternative to "just left of". Both phrases indicate a similar direction and position.

What is the difference between "just left of" and "directly left of"?

"Just left of" implies a slight offset, whereas "directly left of" indicates a position immediately and precisely to the left, with no deviation.