Usage of side... vehicles coming on your right side

[daemon99]

Can someone please correct the paragraph below?

When you are walking with your little daughter on a busy road, let her walk on the safer side of the road. Say, the vehicles are coming on your right side, hold her hand with your right hand.

[pyoung]

Can someone please correct the paragraph below?

When you are walking with your little daughter on a busy road, let her walk on the safer side of the road. Say, the vehicles are coming on your right side, hold her hand with your right hand.

Dear daemon:

When you are walking with your little daughter on a busy road, let her walk as far away from the traffic as possible. Say, the vehicles are coming on your right side, have her walk to your left.

I hope this is helpful,

Petra

[Anglika]

Our Highway Code has the advice that if you are on a pavement, you are safer facing oncoming traffic than walking with your back towards it. Therefore pedestrians are advised to walk on the left of the pavement [sidewalk].

[daemon99]

Thanks a lot, pyoung and Anglika!

One of the most difficult things for me to understand is the usage of front, side, back and behind.

For example, I don't understand which is correct walk on your right or walk to your right.

You should have her walk to your right.
You should have her walk on your right.

Can you please tell me the difference between the above two sentences?

Say, the vehicles are coming on your right side...

Can I replace the above sentence with...

Say, the vehicles are coming on your right...

I also get confused with the following sentences. I can't make out the difference.

It lies to the north of Africa.
It lies on the north of Africa.

She sat on my right.
She sat to my right.

[pyoung]

Thanks a lot, pyoung and Anglika!

One of the most difficult things for me to understand is the usage of front, side, back and behind.

Prepositions! the cause of much suffering!

For example, I don't understand which is correct walk on your right or walk to your right.

You should have her walk to your right.
You should have her walk on your right.


Can you please tell me the difference between the above two sentences?

Both mean the same thing. 'On your right' is short for 'on your right side.'
In a way, 'to your right' is clearer, because 'on' can mean 'on top of,' and can therefore cause confusion. Native speakers will immediately understand either phrase, though.

Say, the vehicles are coming on your right side...

Can I replace the above sentence with...

Say, the vehicles are coming on your right...to your right would sound clearer to me.

I also get confused with the following sentences. I can't make out the difference.

It lies to the north of Africa. It is north of and not contiguous with Africa.
It lies on the north of Africa. Usually the sentence would say something like, 'It lies on the northern coast of Africa.

She lives to the north of us.
She lives on the north side of town.

She sat on my right.
She sat to my right.

They mean the same thing. I like 'to my right' because it describes the direction more clearly ('To' is more clearly a direction word. 'On' has more uses.

Also, people often use the phrase 'right-/left-hand side. 'It's on the left-hand side of the road.' 'He's the one in the upper right-hand corner of the photo.'

I hope this is helpful,

Petra