on the upper side

USAGE SUMMARY

'on the upper side' is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe the relative position of something. For example: "We attached the label to the box, on the upper side."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

All the polyps are on the upper side.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the photo, though only one suture was on the upper side, another suture was on the lower side.

Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics

There is only one spine on the papilla (nipple-like projection) on the upper side of the penis.

Wikipedia

Most were built as single-story homes on the upper side of the street.

The New York Times

The image projected on the upper side was magnified 2.5 times at the surface of the lower side.

Nature

The other 50% are distributed among the other six categories shown in gray on the upper side.

Harvard Business Review

Furthermore, the mouthpiece was inserted so that the reed, attached with cord, was on the upper side of the instrument.

Britannica

The results also imply that the most condensation takes place on the upper side of the glass cover.

Solar Energy

The temperature at the bottom of the foot increased, and the temperature on the upper side decreased.

Applied Ergonomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

However, this amount was small in comparison to that on the upper-side, which explains the exclusion of the bottom-side from the analysis.

BMC Oral Health

Cells on the upper side of the membrane were removed by cotton swabs.

BMC Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the physical attributes of an object, use "on the upper side" to clearly indicate the top-facing surface or aspect. This is particularly useful in technical descriptions, scientific reports, and instructional manuals where precision is key.

Common error

Avoid using "above" as a direct substitute for "on the upper side" in contexts where you specifically need to refer to a surface. While "above" indicates a higher position, it doesn't necessarily imply contact with or being a part of a surface like "on the upper side" does. For instance, say "the label is on the upper side of the box", not "the label is above the box" if you mean it's affixed to the top surface.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the upper side" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a specific location or position relative to something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe relative position. For example, "The polyps are on the upper side."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

Wiki

18%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on the upper side" serves as a precise indicator of spatial orientation, specifying a location on the top surface of an object. As Ludwig AI explains, it is a perfectly acceptable phrase used to describe relative position. With a "Very common" frequency, its utility spans diverse contexts, from science and encyclopedias to news media and general writing. While grammatically sound, it's crucial to differentiate its function from broader terms like "above". This ensures clarity, especially in technical or scientific descriptions where precision is paramount. When clarity and accuracy are needed, "on the upper side" offers a clear and descriptive option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the top surface

Replaces "upper side" with "top surface", emphasizing the uppermost area of an object.

on the higher part

Uses "higher part" instead of "upper side", focusing on elevation rather than a specific side.

on the dorsal aspect

Replaces "upper side" with the more technical term "dorsal aspect", suitable for biological or anatomical contexts.

on the superior surface

Substitutes "upper side" with "superior surface", indicating a higher or better surface in a formal context.

at the top

Simplifies the phrase to "at the top", conveying the same general location but with less detail.

above

Uses "above" as a more concise preposition indicating a position higher than something else.

on the upside

Employs "on the upside" to refer to the more advantageous or positive aspect, which is a figurative usage.

on the facing surface

Replaces "upper side" with "facing surface", focusing on the surface that is oriented upwards or outwards.

on the exterior

Substitutes "upper side" with "exterior", referring to the outer surface or part.

on top of

Uses "on top of" to indicate a position directly above something.

FAQs

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

You can use "on the upper side" to describe the location of something on the top surface of an object. For example, "The label is on the upper side of the box" or "The condensation takes place on the upper side of the glass cover."

What phrases can I use instead of "on the upper side"?

Alternatives to "on the upper side" include "on the top surface", "on the higher part", or "at the top", depending on the specific context.

Is "on the upper side" the same as "above"?

While both indicate a higher position, "on the upper side" specifies a location on the top surface of something, whereas "above" simply means higher than something else, without necessarily implying contact or being part of a surface.

When is it appropriate to use "on the upper side" in writing?

"On the upper side" is appropriate when you need to clearly and precisely indicate the location of something on the top surface of an object, especially in technical or scientific contexts where detail is important.