on your left

USAGE SUMMARY

“on your left” is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
For instance, you might use it to inform someone of a directional change: “After you take a left at the corner, the store will be on your left.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's on your left shoulder".

The New Yorker

Look on your left!

The New York Times - Travel

"Still on your left".

The New Yorker

Relax and lie on your left side".

The New Yorker

The bookstore is on your left.

The New Yorker

Another Memorial on your left!

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

3. Keep the river on your left.

The Guardian - Travel

House o' Hill is on your left.

The Guardian - Travel

On your left is Edlingham Castle.

The Guardian - Travel

Go past Coleridge Road on your left.

The Guardian - Travel

Parking structure is immediately on your left.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on your left" to clearly indicate the position of an object or location relative to the person being addressed. This phrase is suitable for giving directions, describing scenes, or pointing out items of interest.

Common error

While both phrases are similar, be mindful of the context. "On your left" often implies something is directly beside you, while "to your left" can indicate a more general direction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on your left" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase indicating the location or direction of something relative to the person being addressed. Ludwig shows that it is commonly used in giving directions and pointing out landmarks.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

30%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on your left" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate the position of something relative to a person's left side. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its common usage across diverse contexts, from providing directions in news articles to describing scenes in academic texts. The register is typically neutral, making it suitable for both casual and professional communication. While simple, understanding its proper application ensures clear and effective communication, aiding in spatial orientation and guidance. Its alternatives are "to your left" or "to the left of you".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to your left

Uses a simpler preposition, 'to', instead of 'on your'.

on the left side of you

Adds specificity by explicitly mentioning 'side'.

to your left-hand side

More descriptive, specifying 'hand'.

to the left of you

A more formal and spatially explicit alternative.

towards your left

Highlights the direction in which something is located.

on the left-hand side for you

Adds 'for you' for emphasis or clarification.

at your left

A concise way of indicating the direction.

on the port side

Uses nautical terminology to indicate the left side.

on your larboard side

An archaic nautical term for the left side of a vessel.

leftward of you

Emphasizes movement or direction towards the left.

FAQs

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

Use "on your left" to indicate the position of something relative to someone's left side, such as "The museum will be "on your left" after you pass the park".

What's a more formal way to say "on your left"?

A more formal alternative is "to the left of you", which provides a slightly more precise and spatially explicit description. For instance, "The historical marker is located "to the left of you" as you face the monument".

Is it correct to say 'at your left' instead of "on your left"?

While "at your left" is grammatically correct, it is less common than "on your left". "On your left" is generally preferred for indicating location or direction. For example, "The entrance is "on your left"" sounds more natural than "The entrance is at your left".

What are some situations where I might use "on your left"?

You can use "on your left" when giving directions, describing a scene, or pointing out specific items of interest. For example, "If you look "to your left", you'll see the Eiffel Tower", or "The gift shop will be "on your left" after exiting the museum".