on the top side

USAGE SUMMARY

"on the top side" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the upper side or surface of something. Example: The book was lying on the top side of the desk. In this sentence, "on the top side" specifies where the book was located on the desk, emphasizing that it was on the upper surface rather than the lower surface.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To "activate" the effects you touch one of the unobtrusive buttons on the top side of the guitar.

TechCrunch

Frost one piece of the cake on the top side only.

WikiHow

Apply a dot of craft glue on one end of the band on the "top" side or decorated side.

WikiHow

Butter the bread heavily on the top side, and when I say "butter," I mean "drown".

The New York Times

On the top side, we placed an array of sharp point electrodes.

International Journal of Thermal Sciences

The crack initiation was caused mainly by the cyclic plastic straining on the top side.

International Journal of Fatigue

On the top side, it contains 12x12 SiPMs with a regular pitch of 2.5 mm.

EJNMMI Physics

That allows you leeway to show more design flair on the top side of the car.

Forbes

Motorola (and others), please start putting your charging ports on the top side, if possible.

TechCrunch

Furthermore, HUVEC grew and formed an entire monolayer on the top side of the gradient CS/PCL scaffold.

Biomaterials

Briefly, contact lithography and reactive ion etching (RIE) were used to open windows on the top side of the samples.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the top side" to clearly indicate the upper surface or part of an object, especially when differentiating it from the bottom or other sides. For example, "Label the box 'Fragile' on the top side."

Common error

Avoid using "on the top side" when "on top" or "at the top" suffices. Overusing "side" can make your writing sound redundant. Choose the simplest and clearest option to improve readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the top side" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a specific location or position. It clarifies that something is situated on the upper surface or part of an object. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

Wiki

30%

News & Media

29%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on the top side" functions as a prepositional phrase used to indicate a location on the upper surface of an object. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a range of contexts, primarily appearing in scientific, wiki, and news-related content. While alternatives like "on top" or "at the top" can be used for brevity, "on the top side" provides added clarity when distinguishing from other sides is important. Therefore, use this phrase judiciously to ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on top

A concise phrase indicating the uppermost position.

on the upper surface

Replaces 'side' with 'surface', emphasizing the external face.

on the surface

Highlights the outer layer or face.

on the upper part

Replaces 'side' with 'part', indicating a section or component at the top.

at the top

A shorter, more general way to indicate the highest position.

on the exterior

Emphasizes the outer surface, which is often the top side.

on the face

Indicates the front or outer surface.

on the upside

Focuses on the positive aspect or advantage, which may be located on the upper side.

at the summit

Suggests the highest point or peak.

above

A simple preposition indicating a higher position.

FAQs

How can I use "on the top side" in a sentence?

You can use "on the top side" to specify the location of something on the upper surface of an object, such as "The label is located "on the top side" of the box."

What is a simple alternative to "on the top side"?

Alternatives include "on top" or "at the top", which are often more concise and equally effective.

Is there a difference between "on the top side" and "on the upper side"?

"On the top side" and "on the upper side" are very similar in meaning, but "on the top side" is slightly more common in general usage.

When is it more appropriate to use "on top" instead of "on the top side"?

Use "on top" when the context is clear and you don't need to specifically emphasize the 'side' aspect. For instance, "The cherry is on top of the sundae" is preferable to "The cherry is on the top side of the sundae."