a few yards back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few yards back" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a location that is slightly behind a certain point or object. Example: "The car was parked a few yards back from the entrance of the building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

A few yards back and Heather Lane is spoilt, utterly.

The Guardian

"Let me talk to this man," Charlie said, and motioned to them to hang a few yards back.

The New Yorker

Come and march with us! " "Tell 'em, baby," said Frank Surocco, who was a few yards back of Charles.

The New Yorker

The stage floor, which previously had extended only a few yards back from the proscenium arch, was now deepened to accommodate scenery, equipment, and dancing.

Britannica

But once you watch the ability of some of them at the World Championships you wouldn't know, standing a few yards back, whether you were watching men or women".

Independent

Late in the afternoon, as Route 80 passed through the swamps of Lowndes County, the marchers looked anxiously at the woods, covered with Spanish moss, which began a few yards back from the road.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Just a few yards further back, three central reservations with bollards and attendant raised crossings were put into place.

The Guardian - Opinion

These days, Rabe works in a converted two-story garage, a few yards from his back door.

The New Yorker

The bluefish would sometimes turn, if only for a moment, allowing me to gobble a few yards of line back on the reel, only to resume its head-shaking routine once more.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Norton said that during a hurricane in 1955 the water rose to within a few yards of the back of his house, which faces the river, and last week it had already poured over the banks and was about a hundred yards away.

The New York Times

Passing beneath the railway, the path climbs up to the main road, which it follows for a few yards before turning back towards the cliff top (in stormy weather the sea wall is too dangerous and this road must be followed most of the way from Teignmouth).

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a few yards back" to create a sense of spatial relationship, particularly when describing relative positions in a scene or narrative. It provides a more vivid image than simply saying "behind".

Common error

Avoid using "a few yards back" when the distance is significantly more or less than a few yards. Be mindful of the actual spatial context to ensure accuracy. Instead, use alternatives like "a short distance" or "considerably further back" depending on the specific distance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few yards back" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the direction and distance of movement or position. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It specifies a short distance behind a certain point or object.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a few yards back" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, functioning as an adverbial phrase to indicate a short distance behind a reference point. While not exceedingly common, it effectively provides spatial orientation across various contexts, primarily in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure the context accurately reflects the intended scale, and consider more formal or technical alternatives for scientific writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short distance behind

Focuses on the distance aspect using different wording.

slightly behind

Emphasizes the relative position without specifying the exact distance.

a couple of steps back

Uses 'steps' instead of 'yards' to denote a small distance.

just behind

Implies a closer proximity than the original phrase.

a small way back

Replaces "yards" with "way", indicating a slight retraction.

a pace or two behind

Uses 'pace' to suggest a walking distance.

in the immediate rear

A more formal way of expressing a close trailing position.

a little further back

Highlights the direction and relative position.

some distance to the rear

A more technical or military-style phrasing.

not far behind

Emphasizes the lack of a significant distance.

FAQs

How can I use "a few yards back" in a sentence?

You can use "a few yards back" to describe something that is located a short distance behind something else. For instance, "The getaway car was parked "a few yards back" from the bank entrance."

What are some alternatives to "a few yards back"?

Alternatives include "a short distance behind", "slightly behind", or "a couple of steps back", depending on the context and desired level of precision.

Is it correct to say "a few yard back" instead of "a few yards back"?

No, the correct phrasing is "a few yards back". The plural "yards" is necessary because it refers to a measurement of multiple yards. Using the singular "yard" would be grammatically incorrect in this context.

When should I use "a few yards back" instead of just saying "behind"?

Use "a few yards back" when you want to provide a more specific sense of distance. While "behind" is general, "a few yards back" gives the reader a clearer spatial reference. If the precise distance is not important, "behind" might suffice.