left of which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left of which" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to something that is positioned to the left side of a specified object or point of reference. Example: "The painting on the wall, left of which is a large window, adds a vibrant touch to the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

When the Government is also shooting badgers, is there anything left of which its activists can be proud?

Independent

Her front door opened onto a small hallway, to the left of which was a darkened living room, furnished with carved, gilded chairs and paintings of Jesus.

The New Yorker

Ron Radosh (whom I've known for decades, and for whom I have a persistent soft spot) is disliked by many on the left, of which he was once a part.

The New Yorker

Elected deputy in 1859, he received various administrative appointments, but attained a political office only in 1876 when the Left, of which he had been a prominent and influential member, came into power.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I can muster up ire about anyone affiliated with the left – of which I still count myself a member – using, in 2013, the words "Bitch", "whore", "witch", "bint" and, of course, "c***" to describe Margaret Thatcher.

Independent

There was also something called the "New Left", of which the Angry Young Men were supposed to be a part, and a rash of "declarations", in which young writers aired their views on Suez, the Bomb and other Eden-era talking points.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The leader of the now-defunct People of Freedom (PdL) party, who is likely to be ousted from the Italian parliament within weeks due to his conviction in August for tax fraud, accused the centre-left – of which Letta is a member – of wanting to "politically kill" him.

The Guardian

Custer bore two bullet wounds one in the left breast near his heart and one in front of his left temple either of which could have killed him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Rome, Florence and Venice (left), all of which draw millions of tourists a year, are expected to sign up for the tax.

The New York Times

All this is saying, perhaps, is that Mr. Terkel was a man of the political left — something of which he made no secret.

The New York Times - Books

They tore the shirt from his back, the left half of which was sent to the Baseball Hall of Fame along with his black Louisville Slugger Adirondack bat.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing spatial arrangements, consider whether "to the left of" might be clearer and more concise than "left of which", especially in informal writing. The latter is more appropriate when continuing a relative clause.

Common error

Avoid using "left of which" in sentences where a simple preposition like "to the left of" suffices. Overusing complex phrasing can make your writing sound unnecessarily convoluted and less accessible to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left of which" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a relative clause. It specifies the location of something relative to a point of reference, typically in a descriptive or explanatory context. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "left of which" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate a position to the left of a specified object, often functioning within a relative clause. While functional, it should be used judiciously, as simpler alternatives like "to the left of" may be clearer in many contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that it's usable in written English. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Science sources. When describing spatial arrangements, consider whether "to the left of" might be clearer and more concise than "left of which", especially in informal writing. The latter is more appropriate when continuing a relative clause.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to the left of

This is a more common and direct way of expressing the same spatial relationship.

on the left side of

This alternative is slightly more descriptive, specifying the 'side' for clarity.

leftward of

This phrase is a more concise and directional way of expressing the same spatial relationship.

situated leftward from

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the position relative to something else.

towards the left of

Adds a sense of directionality or movement toward the left.

to the port of

This alternative uses nautical terminology to indicate a position to the left.

on the larboard side of

This alternative uses nautical terminology to indicate a position to the left.

west of

This phrase indicates a location to the west, implying a leftward direction in certain contexts.

abutting the left side of

This suggests that two objects are touching, with one being on the left.

on the western side of

This alternative specifies the 'side' and direction for clarity.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "left of which"?

The phrase "left of which" is suitable when continuing a relative clause to specify the location of something to the left of a previously mentioned noun. In simpler sentences, "to the left of" is often preferable.

Is "left of which" interchangeable with "to the left of"?

While both phrases indicate a position on the left side, "left of which" is typically used within a clause to relate back to a preceding noun, whereas "to the left of" can stand alone more easily.

What are some alternatives to "left of which" that maintain a formal tone?

For formal writing, consider using phrases like "situated leftward from" or "on the western side of" depending on the context.

How can I avoid making my writing sound awkward when using "left of which"?

Ensure that the clause containing "left of which" flows smoothly from the previous sentence and that the relationship between the objects is clear. If the sentence feels cumbersome, rephrase it using "to the left of" or restructure the sentence entirely.