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ESL forum > Grammar and Linguistics > To the left or On the left    

To the left or On the left



kara305
Vietnam

To the left or On the left
 
 Hi, 
I have been searching the difference btw these two phrases, but still not understand the difference.
Please help to explain.
Thank you
Kara 

24 Oct 2016      





cunliffe
United Kingdom

Mmm. that �s a difficult one! I would say that sometimes, most times? - they are interchangeable. I would say that �to the left � implies movement and �on the left � is purely position.
I hope you get some more enlightening answers!

24 Oct 2016     



maryse pey�
France

I agree with cunfiffe.
 
Think of phrases like :
 
Go TO the left / right, turn TO the left / right, walk TO the left / right... Idea of MOVEMENT.
 
The bank in ON the / your left / right, the church is ON the left / right, the girl ON the left / right is my sister... NO movement.

24 Oct 2016     



yanogator
United States

I agree with Lynne and Maryse, and will add one thing.
 
"To the left" can indicate location, if movement will be required. If you are in a museum, the guide could indicate a corridor and say "To the left is the Egyptian Room". The guide wouldn �t say "on the left", because the room isn �t right there; it is down the corridor.
 
Bruce 

24 Oct 2016