laterally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "laterally" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is situated or moving to the side or in a direction that is parallel to the horizon. Example: "The branches of the tree extended laterally, creating a wide canopy of shade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Each four-storey wing is divided laterally in half into two-storey sections, within which cells are arranged around central atriums.

The Economist

Conventional airframes require heavy structural material to transfer the fuselage's weight laterally to landing gear and wheels under the wings.

The Economist

As if that were not hard enough, the best bowlers not only get the ball to swing laterally through the air, but also to deviate off the pitch.

The Economist

By laterally stretching the surface of the skin (without pushing or poking into it) it is possible to mimic the feeling of complex shapes and sensations.

The Economist

Icelanders have a tradition of thinking laterally, he says, of not giving up and of not caring what others might say.

The Economist

He also suggests that students think more laterally, perhaps asking family and friends whether they are interested in investing in their future career.

The Economist

The modulation occurs laterally, with no vertical motion whatsoever.

The Economist

In the words of Chris Smith, a light-weapons expert at King's College, London, "You have to think laterally, because tools designed for other sorts of arms control don't work .It may be more realistic to restrict the ammunition that is so cheap it is unattractive to smugglers.

The Economist

But the anxiety behind the comments is that hard-studying Singaporeans lack creativity and an ability to think laterally.

The Economist

The Kobe quake, though less dramatic, delivered peak accelerations of more than 0.8g laterally and nearly 0.5g vertically.

The Economist

As a result, it is becoming almost as important to know how to manage an alliance as to run an in-house division, and consultancies are springing up to teach companies how to do the job better.One necessity is a new skill, says Wendell Jones, head of e-business management services at Compaq Computer: people who can manage "laterally rather than hierarchically".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing spatial relationships, use "laterally" to precisely indicate movement or extension to the side, especially in technical or scientific contexts.

Common error

Avoid substituting "laterally" with "later" which denotes time, not direction. Using "later" in place of "laterally" can lead to misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "laterally" primarily functions to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating direction or orientation to the side. This is evident in the Ludwig examples where it describes how something moves, extends, or is positioned.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

30%

News & Media

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

5%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "laterally" is a versatile adverb primarily used to describe movement or orientation to the side. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It is particularly common in technical and scientific contexts, as demonstrated by the examples from encyclopedias, news media, and scientific sources. While synonyms like "sideways" and "horizontally" can sometimes be used, "laterally" provides a more precise spatial description. Remember to avoid confusing it with "later", which refers to time. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively incorporate "laterally" into your writing for clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sideways

Indicates movement or direction to the side, providing a more straightforward synonym.

to the side

A simple and direct way to indicate a position or movement away from the center.

horizontally

Refers to a direction parallel to the horizon, emphasizing alignment rather than movement.

to the left/right

Specifies the direction of lateral movement or position.

from side to side

Emphasizes alternating movement between sides, implying a back-and-forth motion.

transversely

Indicates a direction that is at a right angle to the longitudinal axis.

on the flank

Often used in military or strategic contexts to denote a position on the side of a formation.

on either side

Implies presence or action on both sides, suggesting symmetry or duality.

abroad

Highlights the position and direction with respect to the main context.

at an angle

Denotes a slanting direction, diverging from a straight line.

FAQs

How can I use "laterally" in a sentence?

"Laterally" is an adverb that describes something moving or situated to the side. For example, "The roots of the tree extended "laterally", providing stability."

What words can I use instead of "laterally"?

Depending on the context, you can use "sideways", "horizontally", or "to the side" as alternatives to "laterally".

Is it correct to say "lateral movement" or "laterally movement"?

"Lateral movement" is the correct form. "Lateral" is an adjective describing the type of movement. "Laterally" is an adverb and would not be used to directly modify the noun "movement".

What is the difference between "laterally" and "bilaterally"?

"Laterally" refers to something on or moving to one side, while "bilaterally" refers to something involving both sides. For example, "The patient experienced pain "laterally" on their left side" versus "The patient had "bilaterally" symmetrical features".