A wooden table with a low bench at either of its sides.

[99bottles]

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KkQ...orus_asset/file/21849449/iStock_515454363.jpg

I want to describe the table in the picture above.

A wooden table with a low bench at either of its sides.

Is this description correct? I have a feeling I have got it wrong somewhere.

 

[tedmc]

How about " a wooden table with built-in benches on two opposite sides"?

 

[emsr2d2]

It's a picnic table in BrE. I've also heard it called a picnic bench.

 

[99bottles]

It's a picnic table in BrE. I've also heard it called a picnic bench.

Thanks. I'll use that. But, since you are at it, can you also tell me where I got my sentence wrong, so that I won't bother you again in the future if I need to use something like 'either of its sides'?

 

[emsr2d2]

It's a table with a bench on both sides.
It's a table with a bench on each side.

 

[99bottles]

It's a table with a bench on both sides.
It's a table with a bench on each side.

But why 'on'? Don't we use 'on side' only when something is literally on the side of that thing whereas we use 'at/by side' when it's next to that thing?

 

[emsr2d2]

No, we don't use "on" only when something is actually (literally) on (touching) something.

He has a mole on each side of his face.
There is a painting on each wall of the room.
The vase is on the left of the picture.
There is a bench on both sides of table.
She's on the wrong side of the argument.
I have blinds on all my windows.

 

[Tarheel]

It's a picnic table in BrE.

In AmE too.

 

[tedmc]

Do all picnic tables come with built-in benches?

 

[5jj]

Not all, but most do.

an outdoor table, esp one with benches attached, used for eating outdoors
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/picnic-table

A picnic table (or picnic bench) is a table with benches (often attached), designed for impromptu outdoor dining.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picnic_table

(My emphasis added.)

 

[emsr2d2]

Do all picnic tables come with built-in benches?

I don't think I've ever seen one without them. It would be odd for someone to provide a table in a park (or similar) but assume that people who want to use it would bring their own chairs!
Bolting the benches to the table also makes any part of it harder to steal because it's much heavier and harder to manoeuvre than a table on its own.