towards the left

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "towards the left" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate direction or position relative to the left side of something. Example: "The sign is located towards the left of the entrance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

To achieve this step, simply turn your torso 45 degrees towards the left and point left.

WikiHow

"Do I think there is general bias towards the left?

Independent

Bale burst towards the left and knocked it first-time past Bartra.

The Guardian - Sport

However, the entire system seemed to gravitate towards the left flank.

The Guardian - Sport

"Our heart is towards the left, we have always said so," he said.

The Economist

Where to stand: Counterintuitively, there's usually more space at the front than the back, especially towards the left.

The Guardian - Music

There is a widespread attitude towards the left that criticises it for failing to deliver a viable, reliable alternative.

The Guardian - Opinion

He angled the third attempt towards the left sideline and the ball went out of bounds on the 20.

The New York Times

Whereas, peak shifts towards the left indicate lower fluorescence intensities, which signify lower ROS production.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It also incited hatred towards the left-liberal elites it holds responsible for the Willkommenskultur.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some range effect is also visible towards the left-hand edge of the image.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When giving directions, be specific. Instead of just saying "go towards the left", add a landmark or other point of reference to help avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clarifying whose left you are referring to. For example, state "towards the left from your perspective" or "towards the left as you face the building".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "towards the left" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate direction or location. As Ludwig examples show, it specifies movement or orientation in a leftward direction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

30%

News & Media

28%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "towards the left" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate direction or orientation to the left. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, the phrase is most frequently encountered in Wiki, News & Media, and Science contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to consider perspective and provide clear references to avoid ambiguity. Simpler alternatives, such as "to the left" or "on the left", are often preferred for conciseness. Though generally neutral, clarifying perspective enhances precision when applying "towards the left".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to the left side

Uses a more explicit phrasing indicating the side on the left.

on the left-hand side

Similar to "to the left side", but emphasizes the 'hand' aspect.

on the left

A shorter, more direct way to indicate a position on the left.

in the left direction

Replaces 'towards' with 'in', slightly altering the phrase structure.

leftward

A single-word adverb indicating movement or direction toward the left.

in a leftward direction

More verbose way of expressing the direction towards the left.

moving left

Focuses on the action of moving, instead of direction.

to the port side

Nautical term for the left side of a vessel.

toward the western direction

Substitutes 'left' with its compass direction equivalent.

on the larboard

Archaic nautical term, less common than 'port'.

FAQs

How can I use "towards the left" in a sentence?

You can use "towards the left" to indicate direction or position. For example, "Walk towards the left until you see the sign" or "The building is located towards the left of the park".

What's a more concise way to say "towards the left"?

Alternatives include "to the left" or "on the left", which are often more direct and natural-sounding.

Is it always necessary to use "towards" when indicating direction?

No, using "towards" is optional. Saying "to the left" is often sufficient and more common, unless you want to emphasize movement or orientation in that direction. For example, saying "the car drifted "to the left"" is acceptable.

When should I use "towards the left" instead of just "left"?

Use "towards the left" when you want to convey a sense of motion or direction in relation to a reference point. If the context simply requires indicating a location, "on the left" is generally preferable.