on the bedside

USAGE SUMMARY

"on the bedside" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is most commonly used to refer to a location or object that is on or near a bedside or a person's bed. Example: "I placed the medicine bottle on the bedside table before going to sleep."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Perhaps there is one in the bathroom, one on the bedside table, one for the daily commute.

The Economist

As the name suggests, this one is a retro-inspired model that looks good on the bedside table.

Independent

Commit to charging your devices and your children's devices in this one, single place, and you'll avoid having phones and other devices charging on the bedside.

HuffPost

There were flowers on the bedside table.

The New Yorker

I sit up and switch on the bedside light.

The Guardian - Books

B puts his books on the bedside table.

The New Yorker

The clock on the bedside table said 3 13.

The New York Times

What had they noticed on the bedside table?

The New York Times - Health

He closed the phone and laid it on the bedside table.

The New Yorker

The photograph on the bedside table was of two blond children throwing bread to a peacock.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Much of this is touched on in The  Bedside Guardian.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the bedside" to clearly indicate an object's placement on a surface near a bed, such as a nightstand or table, to provide a specific and easily understood location.

Common error

Avoid using "on the bedside" when you mean something is merely near the bed, but not specifically on a bedside table or surface. Opt for phrases like "near the bed" or "by the bed" to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the bedside" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate location. As shown by Ludwig, it specifies the position of something relative to a bed, typically on a nearby surface.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on the bedside" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically indicating the location of an object on a surface near a bed. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Analysis of numerous examples reveals that it's most commonly found in News & Media and Academia, indicating a neutral to professional register. While there are alternatives like "at the bedside" or "near the bed", "on the bedside" specifically denotes placement on a surface like a nightstand. To avoid ambiguity, ensure the object is actually on a surface near the bed when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the bedside

Specifies location near a bed, similar to "on the bedside" but with a slightly broader sense of general proximity.

by the bed

Indicates a position immediately adjacent to the bed, differing subtly from "on the bedside" which may imply being atop a surface near the bed.

near the bed

Suggests a location in close proximity to the bed, providing a less precise location than "on the bedside".

next to the bed

Pinpoints a location directly beside the bed, altering the perspective from being on a surface near it.

on the nightstand

Refers specifically to the surface of a nightstand, which is commonly located near a bed.

on the bed table

Highlights the presence of something on a small table specifically for use near a bed.

within reach of the bed

Focuses on accessibility from the bed, changing the emphasis from location to convenience.

close to the bed

Indicates a general closeness to the bed, which isn't as precise as "on the bedside".

on the side table

Identifies the location as a small table beside the bed, without direct connection to sleeping.

in the vicinity of the bed

Denotes a general area around the bed, providing a more ambiguous indication than "on the bedside".

FAQs

How is "on the bedside" typically used in a sentence?

"On the bedside" is commonly used to describe the location of items placed on a surface near a bed, such as a nightstand or small table. For example, "She placed her glasses "on the bedside" table before sleeping".

What are some alternatives to saying "on the bedside"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "at the bedside", "by the bed", or "near the bed" to indicate proximity to a bed.

Is it correct to say "in the bedside" instead of "on the bedside"?

No, "in the bedside" is not typically correct. The standard and more accurate phrase is ""on the bedside"", which refers to a surface or area adjacent to the bed.

What's the difference between "on the bedside table" and "near the bedside"?

"On the bedside table" specifies that something is located directly on the surface of a table next to the bed, while "near the bedside" indicates a general proximity to the bed without specifying a particular surface.