at my backyard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at my backyard" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "in my backyard." Example: "I love spending time in my backyard during the summer months."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

(The piece included this observation from Summers: "When I look out the window at my backyard, I can't think of anything interesting to ask.

The New Yorker

Why, you can practically hear metal heads across the land swooning, "Whoa maybe I can get Metallica to crank it up at my backyard barbecue!!!" While data on such performances is hard to come by, there's no denying that private gigs both corporate and personal have lately become a ready revenue stream for music entertainers of all stripes.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

I remember being a very small boy at my grandparents' backyard in Brooklyn and taking folding chairs, boxes and whatever I could find and piling them together in different shapes.

The New York Times

At my restaurants, Backyard Beef is the number one most popular item on our menu even though we are known for seasonal vegetables, produce and salad.

Huffington Post

"I found an antique set of wooden clubs at a flea market and practiced in my backyard at 5 a.m".

The New York Times - Style

It was at the edge of my backyard.

The New York Times - Tech

"I have one in my backyard at the edge of the patio, and it's fantastic," Mr. McLaughlin said.

The New York Times

When Mr. Pakledinaz returned to New York, he said, "here it was in my backyard," at a store he has patronized for a quarter-century to dress the casts of "Kiss Me, Kate," "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and many other musicals and operas.

The New York Times

When Jérôme Chave stepped into a tropical forest for the first time, "I was even unable to identify a weed in my backyard at home, and the idea that hundreds of plant species were coexisting peacefully in tiny areas of forest astounded me," he says.

Science Magazine

Considering how MoneyDesktop has been "cornering the market with financial institutions," Cragun says he had to ask himself, "Can I beat a company in my backyard at what we're going after?" Both Cragun and MoneyDesktop CEO Ryan Caldwell talked about a shared vision for the future of personal financial management as a driving factor for the acquisition.

TechCrunch

We'd hang out in my backyard, at my parents house, take walks around the block, hit up the farmers market.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the preposition "in" with "backyard" to denote location: "in my backyard" is the grammatically correct form. Using "at" is considered incorrect in standard English.

Common error

Avoid using "at" instead of "in" when referring to a location within your backyard. "At" generally indicates a point or address, while "in" signifies enclosure or containment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at my backyard" functions as a prepositional phrase intended to denote a location. However, it deviates from standard English grammar, where "in" is the correct preposition to use. As Ludwig AI explains, the correct phrasing is "in my backyard".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "at my backyard" might be understood in informal settings, it's grammatically incorrect. Standard English dictates the use of "in" to denote location within an enclosed space like a backyard. Ludwig AI points out that the correct expression is "in my backyard". For formal writing, always opt for "in my backyard" or consider alternatives like "in my garden" for clarity and correctness. Despite some occurrences in various online sources, adhering to proper grammar enhances the credibility and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in my backyard

Corrects the preposition from "at" to "in", which is the standard usage for indicating location within a contained space.

in my yard

Uses a more general term "yard" to refer to the area around the house, correcting the preposition.

in my garden

Replaces "backyard" with "garden", focusing on a cultivated area, while maintaining the correct preposition.

on my patio

Specifies a paved outdoor area, changing the location but keeping the possessive and preposition correct.

near my home

Shifts the focus to proximity rather than direct containment, using a different preposition to achieve this.

by my house

Similar to "near my home", this indicates a location in close proximity to the house.

behind my house

Indicates the location specifically at the rear of the house, changing the focus to a spatial relationship.

outside my back door

Specifies a very precise location just outside the house, altering the overall descriptive focus.

close to my residence

Uses more formal language to indicate nearness to where one lives.

on my property

Refers to the entire land owned, broadening the scope significantly while maintaining grammatical correctness.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "at my backyard"?

The correct way to refer to something located in your backyard is to say "in my backyard". The preposition "in" is used to indicate that something is located inside of or within the boundaries of your backyard.

Can I use "at" instead of "in" with location-based phrases?

While "at" can indicate a location, it's not typically used for enclosed spaces like a backyard. "At" is better suited for specific addresses or points. For example, "at the corner" or "at the store" are more appropriate. Use "in" for enclosed locations, such as "in my backyard".

What can I say instead of "at my backyard"?

You can use alternatives like "in my garden" or "in my yard" which are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning.

What is the difference between "at my backyard" and "in my backyard"?

"At my backyard" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The correct preposition to use when indicating something is within the confines of your backyard is "in", as in "in my backyard".