on the left of the book

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Kooyeen

#418173 Thu, 13 Sep 07 08:40 PM

Hi,
I've got this problem:
I know I can say that something is "on the left" or "to the left". But is it true that when you add "of" you can no longer say "on" but you need "to"? In practice:
The pencil is on/to the left. <--- both ok
The pencil is on/to the left of the book. <--- only "to" is ok

Anyway I know I can say "on the left of the screen" if I'm talking about something that is on the screen. But if it is not on the screen, I have to say "to the left of the screen".

Is that true or did I dream of it some night? Thanks Smile [:)]

Kooyeen

Joined on Thu, Dec 22 2005

Italy

Senior Member (3,973)

If you don't have a sense of humor already, it's about time you buy one.

Ant_222

#418199 Thu, 13 Sep 07 09:08 PM

My HO is this:
"On the left of smth" means the object is on something, on the left side of it. — "On the left of the shelf".

EDIT: Seems I am not right.

Ant_222

Joined on Sun, May 21 2006

Podolsk, Russia

Contributing Member (1,547)

Kooyeen

#418242 Thu, 13 Sep 07 10:49 PM

Well, yeah... maybe. But.. I still don't know. Smile [:)]

Kooyeen

Ant_222

#418251 Thu, 13 Sep 07 11:19 PM

Intelligence reports:
There have not been found much difference, so they're both correct and mean the same.

Ant_222