a lot of backyard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lot of backyard" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used when referring to a large area of outdoor space behind a house, but it should be phrased as "a lot of backyard space" or "a large backyard." Example: "We have a lot of backyard space for the kids to play in."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"We were a big noisy family with a lot of backyard skits and carnivals," said Ms. O'Donnell, whose mother, Carole, called her Chrissy the Pooh and whose father, Daniel, worked a series of small television roles before scoring his signature gig — playing Bozo the Clown.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It is entertainment, it is highly entertaining to me and a lot of other backyard cooks, and it brings the idea of competition barbecue to millions.

Huffington Post

I HAD noticed, over the course of the past few summers, that I had begun to know a lot of people with backyard pools.

The New York Times

"People were witnessing a lot of things in their backyard.

The Guardian

But we have a lot of business in our backyard that needs to be done before we can build passion for the orchestra".

The New York Times - Arts

A lot of play in the backyard.

Huffington Post

We grew a lot of our food in our backyard; we fished; my brothers hunted.

The New York Times - Magazine

In the suburbs, Kori spent a lot of the time in the backyard.

The New York Times

Like a lot of guys, he has a backyard man cave, but his contains a filing cabinet about the size of a sideways dining-room table, with each draw labelled with a different drug.

Vice

And that backyard got a lot of use.

The New York Times - Sports

"It has a beautiful backyard with a lot of blackberry bushes!" Kit told me.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, consider rephrasing "a lot of backyard" to "a lot of backyard space" or using alternatives like "spacious backyard" or "large backyard".

Common error

Don't use "a lot of backyard" when you actually mean to describe a particular feature or activity happening in the backyard. Instead, specify the feature or action, such as "a lot of gardening in the backyard" or "a lot of playtime in the spacious backyard".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lot of backyard" functions as a descriptor, attempting to quantify the amount of outdoor space. However, according to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically questionable and lacks precision compared to alternatives such as "a lot of backyard space".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "a lot of backyard" appears in various contexts, Ludwig AI indicates that it is not the most grammatically sound phrase. It attempts to convey the size or abundance of outdoor space, but more precise alternatives like "a lot of backyard space", "large backyard", or "spacious backyard" are generally recommended. Usage leans towards informal settings, and while present in news sources, formal writing benefits from clearer phrasing. When describing outdoor areas, consider the context and aim for unambiguous language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spacious backyard

Emphasizes the size and openness of the backyard.

large backyard

Directly indicates that the backyard is big in size.

extensive backyard

Suggests a backyard that covers a considerable area.

good-sized backyard

Indicates a backyard that is adequately large.

sizeable backyard

Similar to large, but perhaps implying more than just physical dimensions.

generous backyard

Implies that the backyard offers ample space.

ample backyard space

Specifically mentions the amount of space available in the backyard.

plenty of room in the backyard

Focuses on the availability of space for various activities.

backyard with plenty of room

Similar to the above, but rephrased.

large outdoor area

Broader term, might include areas beyond just a backyard.

FAQs

Is "a lot of backyard" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, "a lot of backyard" isn't strictly correct. It's better to say "a lot of backyard space" or use alternatives like "large backyard" or "spacious backyard".

What does "a lot of backyard" mean?

It generally refers to having a significant amount of outdoor area behind a house, but it's not the most precise way to express this. Consider using more descriptive alternatives.

How can I use "a lot of backyard" in a sentence correctly?

It's safer to rephrase. Instead of "They have a lot of backyard", try "They have "a large backyard"" or "They have "a lot of backyard space"".

What are some alternatives to "a lot of backyard"?

You can use phrases like "sizeable backyard", "extensive backyard", or simply "large outdoor area" to convey the same meaning with better clarity.