left-handedly
left-handedly — adjective
1. describes a person who naturally prefers their left hand for most everyday tasks
describes a person who naturally prefers their left hand for most everyday tasks, such as writing, cutting, or throwing a ball
Minh is left-handed and finds it easier to write without smudging the ink.
predicative use with 'be' describing a person
The school provided left-handed desks so that Padma could write comfortably in class.
attributive use modifying 'desks'
Many left-handed children develop a hooked wrist position when learning to write.
Lucas was nearly two before his parents realized he was left-handed.
- right-handed
the opposite handedness preference
文法句型
be left-handed
a left-handed [noun]
用法筆記
Frequently used with the verb 'be' in the predicative position ('He is left-handed'). This is the most common use of the word and the one learners encounter first.
常見錯誤
2. made or shaped in a way that is comfortable and practical for a person who uses
made or shaped in a way that is comfortable and practical for a person who uses their left hand to operate it
Tomás ordered a left-handed fishing reel online because the standard model felt awkward.
attributive use before 'fishing reel'
The classroom has left-handed scissors with orange handles so the children can find them easily.
attributive use before 'scissors'
Yasmin bought a left-handed notebook with the spiral binding on the right side.
Most musical instruments, such as guitars and violins, have a left-handed version available.
- lefty
informal term for a left-handed version of a product
- made for left-handers
a descriptive phrase rather than a single word
- right-handed
designed for right-hand use
文法句型
a left-handed [object]
left-handed [tool/equipment]
用法筆記
Almost always used attributively (before a noun). The noun is typically an object, tool, or piece of equipment that has a handed design.
3. executed by relying on the left hand instead of the right one
executed by relying on the left hand instead of the right one
Noor threw a left-handed pass to the striker, surprising the opposing team.
attributive 'left-handed' before 'pass' describing an action
The fencer made a quick left-handed lunge that scored the winning point.
With a left-handed swing, the batter sent the ball sailing over the fence.
The coach spotted a left-handed serve and praised the player for her technique.
- right-handed
performed with the right hand
文法句型
a left-handed [action]
left-handed [noun describing action]
用法筆記
Describes the action itself, not the person performing it. Distinguish from sense 1 (which describes the person) and from saying 'with the left hand' (the adverbial equivalent).
常見錯誤
left-handedly — adverb
1. doing something by relying on one's left hand, either from habit because the per
doing something by relying on one's left hand, either from habit because the person is naturally left-handed, or temporarily when the right hand is unavailable
After breaking his right wrist, Ziad wrote all his exam answers left-handedly.
verb 'wrote' + left-handedly
Mira signed the delivery form left-handedly while holding a bag of groceries.
The artist painted the portrait left-handedly, as she always uses her dominant hand for fine work.
Min ate left-handedly during dinner so she could take notes with her right hand.
- with the left hand
the more common everyday phrasing, especially in spoken English
- right-handedly
the opposite — performing an action with the right hand
文法句型
verb + left-handedly
用法筆記
This adverb form (-ly) is much less common than the adjective 'left-handed'. In everyday speech, people usually say 'with my left hand' instead of 'left-handedly'. The -ly form is more natural in written or formal contexts.