Difference between "to the left" and "on the left"

[Konnova]

Hello. I'm Galina. Can you tell me what is the difference between "to the left" and "on the left" ? Thanks.

[Ratt]

Hi, Galina!

"to the left" has the meaning of direction. (where to)
"on the left" has the meaning of place. (where)

mmm... I know it's a bad explanation, I hope you understand it through Russian (Galina is a russian name, I hope you know russian):
to the left - направо (куда?)
on the left - справа (где?)

[Cerberus™]

I agree with Ratt, except that "to the right", while often being a "where to", may also be used as a "where".
"Don't look at the woman to you right, but she is doing something very perverse."

[Yuri Yurinov]

Hi, Galina, Ratt and Cerberus,

Nice to meet you. Both Ratt's and Cerberus' explanations are very good. I'd like to add one more point only: while driving with your friend (father, husband) you can ask them to "turn right" or "turn left". There is no necessity using the preposition 'to' in this case.

Yuri
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Everything is Anything.

Please NO Youtube on "My first steps in English" thread...

[Konnova]

Hello everybody)) Thanks for your explanations)) now I get it)) BTW Ratt you are right - I know Russian ))