on the left

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on the left" is a perfectly valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a location, a direction, or a position within a larger context. For example, "I noticed a yellow car parked on the left side of the street."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Take the one on the left.

WikiHow

Red on the left.

The Economist

"Ready on the left!

The New York Times - Magazine

Stairs on the left".

The New Yorker

O.K. Yes, on the left.

The New Yorker

He's sitting on the left.

The New York Times

Citadel on the left.

Stanford University

(Emily on the left).

Harvard University

"The kitchen was on the left".

The New York Times

I can play on the left wing.

Independent

"Look at the image on the left.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing directions, use "on the left" in conjunction with landmarks or reference points for clarity. For example, "The library is on the left, next to the park."

Common error

Avoid using "on the left" without providing a clear point of reference. For example, instead of saying "It's on the left", specify "It's on the left side of the street after you pass the post office."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the left" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying location or direction. As shown by Ludwig, it is used to provide spatial information relative to a reference point. Ludwig AI confirms this is a grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

45%

News & Media

36%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on the left" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate position or direction, according to Ludwig AI. As demonstrated through numerous examples, its primary function is to provide spatial orientation. The usage of "on the left" spans various contexts, from general directions in wikis to detailed descriptions in news articles and academic papers. The phrase exhibits a neutral register and is most frequently found in Wiki, News & Media, and Academia. When using "on the left", it's crucial to provide a clear reference point to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases, such as "to the left" or "on the left-hand side", offer alternative ways to convey similar information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to the left

Emphasizes direction or position relative to a reference point.

on the left-hand side

Explicitly specifies the 'hand' aspect, providing more clarity.

left of

Directly states the position relative to another object or point.

to the port side

Uses nautical terminology, applicable in maritime contexts.

on the western flank

Applies to military or strategic positioning, specifying the western side.

on the larboard

An archaic term for the port side.

on the sinister side

Uses heraldic terminology, denoting the left side from the shield-bearer's perspective.

leftward

Indicates movement or direction towards the left.

on the near side

Indicates being closer from a point of view but implies that you are talking about the left side.

on the left field

Specifically references a position in baseball.

FAQs

How can I use "on the left" in a sentence?

Use "on the left" to indicate a position or direction relative to a specific reference point. For example, "The entrance is "on the left" after you enter the building."

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

You can use alternatives such as "to the left", "on the left-hand side", or, in nautical contexts, "to the port side".

Is it always necessary to specify a reference point when using "on the left"?

Yes, for clarity, it's important to provide a reference point when using "on the left". Otherwise, the direction may be ambiguous. For instance, say "The shop is on the left as you approach the intersection" instead of just "The shop is "on the left"".

What's the difference between "on the left" and "to the left"?

While both phrases indicate a position on the left side, "on the left" often implies a more static location, whereas "to the left" can suggest movement or direction. For example, "The building is on the left" vs. "Turn to the left at the corner".