one on each arm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "one on each arm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there are two items or individuals, with one positioned on each of the speaker's arms. Example: "She had a small child one on each arm as she walked through the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

As she talks, I look at two tattoos, one on each arm.

The Guardian

One was sitting on his legs, he said, and one on each arm.

The New York Times

Last fall, as Calaf in Puccini's "Turandot," he was virtually escorted through the role by two men, one on each arm, portraying palace guards in ancient Beijing.

The New York Times - Arts

Ms. Bair describes Emma bearing up nobly as Jung insisted that Toni become part of their household, saying Toni was "his other wife". He frequently attended professional functions with one on each arm.

The New York Times - Books

When he takes them out on the street, one on each arm, done up in their bell dresses and tunic suits, their tam-o'-shanters pulled at jaunty angles, everyone looks at them.

The New Yorker

Two masseuses worked in a rhythm that seemed choreographed, first one on each arm, then one on each leg, then one at my head and the other at my feet, adapting their dance to the particular dos and don'ts of massage during pregnancy.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The octopus did not have fins and all of its suckers were in one row on each arm, Vecchione said.

The Guardian

Interference was further shown to continue across centromeres, but metacentric chromosomes generally had at least one crossover on each arm.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

There was at least one SNP on each arm of each chromosome (excluding chromosome 19), while the distribution of the STRs was not as extensive.

BMC Genomics

For groups 3 and 5 (at least one event on each arm; six trials), the evidence for and against the null hypothesis of no treatment effect was similar across the four statistics in group 3, but the Peto odds ratio seemed to underestimate treatment effects in group 5.

British Medical Journal

In his act, ZumWalt carries young performers off stage--one on each arm--bends an iron bar in half, and arm-wrestles with adults from the audience, pretending to lose to a child after beating the adults.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a symmetrical situation, use "one on each arm" to clearly convey the balanced distribution. For example, "He carried a bag of groceries, one on each arm."

Common error

Avoid using phrases like "one arm" when you mean "one on each arm". This can lead to confusion. Be specific about the distribution to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one on each arm" functions primarily as a descriptive element, specifying the distribution or placement of items or forces across both arms. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it frequently appears in contexts detailing physical actions or states.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "one on each arm" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression, denoting a balanced or symmetrical distribution across both arms. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions primarily as a descriptive element, effectively conveying a sense of equilibrium or even distribution. Its neutral register and common usage across diverse contexts—including news, science, and general writing—underscore its versatility and clarity. When writing, ensure specificity to avoid ambiguity, and consider related phrases like "one on either arm" or "one for each arm" to further refine your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one on either arm

Substitutes 'each' with 'either', maintaining the symmetrical distribution across the arms.

one for each arm

Replaces 'on' with 'for', slightly altering the nuance to emphasize allocation or purpose.

positioned on each arm

Highlights the placement aspect, suggesting a deliberate arrangement.

located on each arm

Highlights the location aspect, indicating the presence of something on each arm.

item on each arm

Specifies 'one' as an 'item', adding clarity when referring to objects.

distributed on each arm

Emphasizes the distribution aspect, suggesting a deliberate placement.

present on both arms

Emphasizes that something is 'present' on both arms, highlighting its existence or visibility.

something on both arms

Generalizes the 'one' to 'something', broadening the scope of what's being described.

applied to each arm

Implies an action of application, such as a cream or bandage being applied.

one affixed to each arm

Replaces 'on' with 'affixed to' to indicate that the item is attached or fixed onto the arm.

FAQs

How can I use "one on each arm" in a sentence?

You can use "one on each arm" to describe a situation where something is distributed equally on both arms. For example, "She balanced the shopping bags, one on each arm".

What are some alternatives to saying "one on each arm"?

Alternatives include "one on either arm", "something on both arms", or "one for each arm", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "one on each arm"?

Yes, "one on each arm" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe having something distributed on both arms.

What is the difference between "one on each arm" and "one on one arm"?

"One on each arm" implies a symmetrical distribution, while "one on one arm" simply means there is something on a single arm, without implying anything about the other arm.