to the left of

USAGE SUMMARY

"to the left of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is located toward the left direction from another object or person. For example, "The desk is to the left of the window."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To the left of Labour?

The Guardian

"They're certainly to the left of you.

The Guardian

I'm down to the left of that".

The New York Times - Magazine

He's to the left of the bear.

The New Yorker

"It's to the left of that".

The New York Times

— DUNCAN IRVING This ones goes to the left of Patricio.

The New York Times

He's to the left of me on gun control, abortion.

The New Yorker

To the left of the sign is a lion rampant.

The New Yorker

I now have an office to the left of Lisa.

The New York Times

My desk is away to the left of the window.

The New York Times

I was always to the left of the Labour Party.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing directions, combine "to the left of" with specific landmarks or coordinates to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "to the left of" without clearly establishing the reference point. Ensure that the reader knows what the subject is positioned relative to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to the left of" functions as a prepositional phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and serves to indicate the relative spatial position of one object in relation to another. It is used to denote that something is situated on the left side of something else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

32%

News & Media

29%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to the left of" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to describe spatial relationships. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. Its register is typically neutral, appearing frequently in sources such as WikiHow and The New York Times. Key to its effective use is ensuring clarity regarding the reference point. Related phrases include "on the left side of" and "leftward of", providing alternative ways to express spatial orientation. When writing directions, combine "to the left of" with specific landmarks to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the left side of

This alternative is a more descriptive way of indicating the position, specifying the 'side'.

adjacent to the left of

This alternative emphasizes that something is directly next to the left side.

at the left of

This alternative is slightly less common and might sound less natural in some contexts.

situated left of

This alternative emphasizes the position or location on the left.

leftward of

This alternative uses a less common, more formal adverbial preposition.

bordering the left of

This alternative suggests a shared boundary or edge on the left side.

towards the left of

This alternative indicates a direction or movement towards the left.

to the west of

This alternative specifies a direction instead of a relative position.

on the port side of

This alternative is specific to nautical contexts, referring to the left side of a vessel.

on the near side of

This alternative can imply proximity and is more general than 'to the left of'.

FAQs

How can I use "to the left of" in a sentence?

You can use "to the left of" to describe the position of an object relative to another, as in, "The book is "to the left of" the lamp".

What is a simple alternative to "to the left of"?

A simple alternative is "on the left side of", which offers a more descriptive way of indicating the position.

Is it correct to say "at the left of" instead of "to the left of"?

While "at the left of" is understandable, ""to the left of"" is more common and generally preferred in most contexts.

When would I use "to the west of" instead of "to the left of"?

Use "to the west of" when referring to a cardinal direction, whereas ""to the left of"" indicates a relative position based on orientation or perspective.