at the back of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the back of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something's location or position behind something else. For example: "He found the book he was looking for at the back of the shelf."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's at the back of my mind.

The Guardian - Sport

He's at the back of Cadbury's now.

The New Yorker

It's at the back of your mind.

The New York Times

Look at the back of one.

The New York Times - Books

At the back of your brain.

The Guardian

This was especially evident at the back of the spool.

Wear

So it's at the back of the superior temporal sulcus.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It is located at the back of the eye.

Harvard University

Place your fingertips at the back of your head.

Harvard University

At the back of this room there are two doors.

Yale University

It performs at the back of the stage.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing locations, ensure "at the back of" is followed by a clear reference point. For example, "at the back of the room" is more specific than just "at the back".

Common error

Avoid using "at the back of" without specifying what object or space it refers to. For instance, instead of saying "The keys are at the back of", clarify with "The keys are at the back of the drawer."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the back of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase modifying nouns or clauses. It indicates a location or position that is behind something else, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Academia

21%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

19%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the back of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate a location behind something else. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts such as news, academia, and general writing. To enhance clarity, it's important to specify the reference point when using this phrase. Alternatives like "behind" or "in the rear of" can be used depending on the context. By avoiding vague references and understanding its proper usage, you can effectively incorporate "at the back of" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the rear of

Formal synonym, emphasizes a spatial relationship.

behind

Short and direct, indicates a position further from the front.

towards the rear of

Indicates movement or direction towards the back.

at the hindmost part of

More formal and descriptive, highlighting the extreme rear.

in the back portion of

Descriptive, emphasizes the portion or section at the back.

on the posterior side of

Technical and anatomical, suitable for scientific contexts.

further back than

Comparative, indicating a relative position.

at the tail end of

Emphasizes the final part or end section.

in the wake of

Suggests following directly behind, often used metaphorically.

aft of

Nautical term indicating position towards the stern of a vessel.

FAQs

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

Use "at the back of" to describe the location of something behind something else. For example, "The exit is "at the back of the building"".

What are some alternatives to "at the back of"?

You can use alternatives like "behind", "in the rear of", or "towards the rear of" depending on the context. For instance, "the garden "behind the house"".

Is it correct to say "in the back of" instead of "at the back of"?

Both "at the back of" and "in the back of" are generally acceptable, but "at the back of" is often preferred when specifying a location relative to a specific object or area. "In the back of" might be used for enclosed spaces like "in the back of the car".

What's the difference between "at the back of" and "towards the back of"?

"At the back of" indicates a specific location at the rear, while "towards the back of" suggests a direction or general area. For example, "He sits "at the back of the classroom"", versus "Walk "towards the back of the store"".