to the side

USAGE SUMMARY

"to the side" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe the location of something in relation to something else, or to talk about something that is happening away from the main focus or action. For example, "I saw him standing to the side, watching the performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Look to the side.

The New Yorker

Trotman stood to the side.

The New York Times - Magazine

Tamara stood quietly to the side.

The New York Times

I walked around to the side.

The New York Times

Stern stood off to the side.

The New Yorker

"She almost tipped to the side".

The New York Times - Health

He moved his king to the side.

The New Yorker

Maybe a park off to the side.

The New York Times

I go out to the side.

The New Yorker

Look down and to the side.

The New Yorker

It is somewhere off to the side.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to the side" to clearly indicate a position that is not central or directly in front. This helps avoid ambiguity in descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "beside" when you mean "to the side". "Beside" indicates being next to something, whereas "to the side" specifies a direction or position away from the front or center.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to the side" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate direction, position, or location. As shown by Ludwig, it describes where something is in relation to something else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

57%

News & Media

43%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to the side" functions as a prepositional phrase used to describe the position or direction of something in relation to something else. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It appears frequently in both general and specific contexts, such as in news articles and how-to guides, as evidenced by the examples found on Ludwig. While versatile, remember to choose "to the side" when you need to specifically indicate a position away from the front or center, rather than simply next to something. Related phrases like "aside" or "sideways" can offer alternative ways to express similar spatial relationships.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aside

Implies a movement or placement away from the main group or focus.

sideways

Indicates a direction or orientation that is not forward or backward, but rather to the left or right.

off to one side

Adds emphasis to the separation from a central point or area, indicating a more distinct removal.

on the flank

Emphasizes a position on the edge or boundary, often used in military or sports contexts.

to the margin

Indicates a location at the edge of a space, either physical or metaphorical.

to the edge

Focuses on proximity to a boundary or limit, suggesting something is located near the periphery.

at the periphery

Emphasizes a location at the outer limits or boundary of something.

laterally

Highlights movement or positioning in a sideways direction.

out of the way

Suggests a position that avoids obstructing or interfering with something else.

in a lateral position

More formal way to describe something being positioned to the side.

FAQs

How can I use "to the side" in a sentence?

You can use "to the side" to indicate a position that is not directly in front or in the center. For example, "He stood "aside"", or "The table was placed "off to one side"".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "to the side"?

Alternatives include "aside", "sideways", "on the flank", or "laterally". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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

Both "at the side" and "to the side" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "At the side" indicates a location, while "to the side" often implies a direction or movement. For example "The entrance is at the side of the building" vs "He moved to the side to let her pass."

How does "to the side" differ from "beside"?

"Beside" means next to or alongside something, whereas "to the side" indicates a position that is not directly in front, but rather toward the edge or flank. The key difference is that "beside" implies adjacency, while "to the side" implies a direction or relative location.