sideways

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sideways" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a direction or position that is not straight or upright, often indicating a lateral movement or orientation. Example: "The picture hung sideways on the wall, making it difficult to appreciate the artwork."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rather disappointingly he chose to be the bigger man and merely cantered past his rival without so much as a sideways look.

The Guardian - Sport

It is brilliantly cut as the camera strays sideways from his dancing to stunned miners nursing their pints.

The Guardian - Film

If everything goes as planned, he will be knocked sideways by the adoration of 12-year-old girls and offers from Hollywood.

The Guardian - Film

As we move on to the floor mats, lying sideways with our legs up in the air, I feel like it's 1985 and I'm just about to appear on American breakfast TV.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Many parents would look at this fact with a wry sideways glance and an eyebrow raised, but I have held onto it for dear life.

The Guardian - Opinion

Leaning sideways, holding a cigarette, she looks both glamorous and powerful.

The Guardian - Arts

There was a period in 2011 and 2012 when it seemed the economy would never stop moving sideways.

The Guardian - Business

Trying to stick too rigidly to a plan can also mean that if life throws you a curveball, it can knock you sideways.

The Guardian

While the image normally conveyed of its users is that of hulking tree trunks who struggle to make it through a door frame without stepping sideways, apparently the former foreign minister is also a fan.

The Guardian

"Growing up in the grim Yorkshire weather should put me in good stead, though usually if I open my curtains and there's sideways snow I can just go and ride on the track instead," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Updated at 9.21pm AEST Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 8.32pm AEST11:32 9 min: NSW make some inroads, if you can do that by running sideways, before another high kick is put up for Slater.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sideways" to describe movements, glances, or positions that deviate from a forward or upright direction. It effectively conveys a sense of direction or orientation in a variety of contexts.

Common error

While "sideways" and "lateral" can be related, avoid using "sideways" in highly technical or scientific contexts where "lateral" is more appropriate. "Sideways" often implies a more casual or descriptive observation, whereas "lateral" denotes a precise directional term.

Linguistic Context

The word "sideways" functions primarily as an adverb and adjective. As an adverb, it modifies verbs to describe the direction of movement (e.g., "moving sideways"). As an adjective, it describes the orientation or direction of a noun (e.g., "sideways glance"). Ludwig provides examples illustrating both uses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Lifestyle

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sideways" is a versatile term primarily functioning as an adverb and adjective to describe movements, directions, or orientations that deviate from a straight path. With a "Correct" grammatical status, as affirmed by Ludwig AI, and a "Very common" frequency, it sees extensive use across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Lifestyle publications. While generally neutral, its register can shift based on context, avoiding highly technical or informal settings in favor of more descriptive applications. Ludwig's examples underscore its widespread applicability, confirming its status as a reliable and effective descriptor in modern English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sideward

Less common, but synonymous; may sound archaic.

laterally

Indicates movement or position to the side; more formal.

to the side

A more general and less specific way to indicate a lateral direction.

sideling

Moving or facing to one side.

askew

Suggests something is not straight or aligned.

obliquely

Indicates an indirect or angled approach.

crabwise

Suggests movement similar to a crab, specifically to the side.

at an angle

Describes a non-perpendicular orientation.

outward

Moving or oriented away from a center.

horizontally

Describes a level or flat orientation.

FAQs

How can I use "sideways" in a sentence?

You can use "sideways" to describe a direction, like in "The car skidded "sideways" on the ice". It can also describe a glance or look: "He gave me a "sideways" glance".

What are some alternatives to using "sideways"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "laterally", "to the side", or "askew". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "sideways movement" or should I use another phrase?

"Sideways movement" is grammatically correct and commonly used. However, for more formal or technical contexts, consider using "lateral movement".

What does it mean when someone is "moved sideways" in a company?

When someone is "moved "sideways"" in a company, it typically means they have been transferred to a different position at the same level, often without a promotion or demotion. This can sometimes indicate a shift in responsibilities or a change in career direction.