look left

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "look left" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is often used as a command or instruction for someone to turn their gaze towards the left. Example: "When walking across the street, remember to look left first before crossing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I could see the driver look left and right.

The New York Times - Magazine

Every intersection, every bridge, brings an opportunity: look left, look right, then choose and go.

The New York Times - Travel

London's street-crossings alert us to "Look Right" and "Look Left", but the warnings are presumably for foreigners.

The Economist

He did not turn his head to look left or right but stared only at where he was going.

The New Yorker

"All you have to do is walk out of the building and look left," Ms. Rosenthal said.

The New York Times

"Don't look left or right or turn around.

Science Magazine

You are running your own race and there is no need to look left and right.

BBC

They drive like nuts so look left and right and 20 times more before crossing the road.

BBC

Look up, look left, look right.

Huffington Post

I was unable to look left or right".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Hammon punctuated her night with a no-look, left-handed bank shot that brought the house down.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When giving directions, especially while driving or walking, use "look left" to clearly instruct someone to check for traffic or landmarks.

Common error

Avoid using "look left" as a descriptive statement (e.g., "The building look left after the earthquake"). Instead, use it as a direct command or instruction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look left" primarily functions as an imperative, issuing a direct command or instruction. This is evident from the examples Ludwig provides, where it's frequently used in the context of giving directions or safety instructions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "look left" is a common and grammatically correct imperative used to direct someone's gaze. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most often found in news and media, wiki entries, and science-related content. Its straightforward nature makes it suitable for various situations where a clear and concise instruction is needed, particularly for safety or navigational purposes. While alternative phrases exist, such as "gaze to the left" or "direct your eyes left", "look left" remains a widely understood and effective way to tell someone to turn their attention to their left side.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gaze to the left

Replaces "look" with a more formal synonym, "gaze".

turn your gaze leftward

Uses more descriptive and directional language.

direct your eyes to the left

Replaces "look" with "direct your eyes", adding a touch of formality.

shift your vision to the left

Focuses on the act of shifting one's vision.

glance leftward

Implies a quick look to the left.

check your left side

Emphasizes checking for something on the left side.

observe the left

Replaces "look" with "observe", suggesting a more careful examination.

view the left

Similar to "observe", but slightly less formal.

see what's on the left

Phrases it as an inquiry to see what is present to the left.

incline your head to the left

Describes the physical action of turning the head to look left.

FAQs

How do you use "look left" in a sentence?

"Look left" is typically used as an imperative, like in the sentence: "Before crossing the street, remember to look left and right".

What's an alternative to saying "look left"?

You can use phrases like "gaze to the left" or "direct your eyes to the left", which are more formal ways to ask someone to turn their attention to the left.

Is it necessary to say "look left" and "look right" when crossing the street?

While not legally mandated everywhere, saying or thinking "look left" and "look right" is a helpful mnemonic to ensure you check for oncoming traffic from both directions, especially in countries where traffic patterns may be unfamiliar.

What does it mean when someone says "always look left"?

While the phrase itself might refer to checking the left direction, it can also be used metaphorically to remind someone to consider alternative or unconventional perspectives. You could also use "think outside the box".