at the back

USAGE SUMMARY

"at the back" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the rear of something. For example, "I found a hidden list of names at the back of the drawer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Trouble at the back?

The New York Times

Sit at the back.

The New Yorker

Get younger at the back.

The New York Times

Stop sniggering at the back.

Independent

Way at the back.

Yale University

Yeah, at the back.

Yale University

They played three at the back.

Independent

(Stop giggling at the back, there).

The Economist

England looked less composed at the back.

Independent

Nonetheless, the struggle continues at the back.

Independent

"I could see Lolo at the back.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the back" to clearly indicate a position or location towards the rear of something. For example, "The emergency exit is located "at the back" of the theater."

Common error

Avoid using "at the back" when a more specific location is needed. Instead of saying "The storage room is "at the back"," clarify by stating "The storage room is at the back of the house, near the garden."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the back" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause to indicate location or position. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and usable. The phrase specifies where something is situated in relation to something else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the back" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to denote a location towards the rear of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. While there are alternative phrases, "at the back" remains a straightforward and effective way to indicate spatial positioning. The phrase is most frequently found in news media, wiki content, and academic writing, making it a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the rear

Replaces "at" with "in", slightly altering the prepositional emphasis but maintaining the same directional meaning.

towards the rear

Adds the directional adverb "towards", making the phrase more explicit about the direction.

in the back part

Replaces "back" with "back part", adding a bit more detail.

at the hindmost part

Uses a more formal and descriptive term "hindmost" for "back".

in the posterior section

Employs more technical and anatomical terms for "back" and "rear".

at the tail end

Uses the metaphor of a tail to indicate the back position.

aft

A nautical term indicating the rear of a vessel.

in the background

Shifts the focus from physical position to a less prominent position.

at the far end

Indicates a location at the greatest distance.

in the distance

Suggests a location that is remote or far away.

FAQs

How can I use "at the back" in a sentence?

"At the back" is used to indicate a location or position towards the rear of something. For example, "Please sit "at the back" of the room" or "The garden extends "at the back" of the house".

What are some alternatives to "at the back"?

You can use alternatives such as "in the rear", "towards the rear", or "in the back part" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "at the back" and "in the back"?

While both phrases indicate a rear position, "at the back" often refers to a specific location, whereas "in the back" might refer to being inside or within the rear area. For example, "She was sitting "at the back" of the bus," versus "The children were playing "in the back" of the yard."

When is it more appropriate to use "towards the rear" instead of "at the back"?

"Towards the rear" is more appropriate when indicating movement or direction in the back, while "at the back" indicates a static location. For instance, "The crowd moved "towards the rear" to create space" versus "The entrance is "at the back" of the building."