at the backyard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the backyard" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "in the backyard." Example: "The children are playing in the backyard."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"Andy took one look at the backyard and said it's a no-brainer," Mrs. Pocock said.

The New York Times

"They grew up eating them at the baseball game, at the backyard barbecue or picnic.

The New York Times

It was summer, after all, and what Long Islander isn't a pro at the backyard grill?

The New York Times

At the backyard hedge, Billy turned to him and said, "Do you believe in Jesus?" His eyes were hard.

The New Yorker

Dance the Night Away is Santana, because we used to play all those weddings and those dances at the backyard parties".

The Guardian - Music

"I'm looking at the backyard now at the pool he was always swimming in and the tree he was climbing all the time," said Bill Linteris, Michelle's father and a close friend of the Domalewskis'.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Death secondary to drowning occurred in our study population in situations where there are deep water wells, with narrow tops, at the backyards of the residential houses in lowland areas and in nearby rivers during the rainy season.

BMC Psychiatry

2. For those who enjoy raw honey and would like to harvest it at home, the backyard beehive starter kit (shown) has everything needed to manage and tend the hives; $179.95.

The New York Times

(Or at least the backyard).

Huffington Post

Opening THE BACKYARD AT THE PINES Wood-fired specialties are served at communal tables outside The Pines restaurant Thursdays through Sundays, 3 to 10 p.m., and at weekend brunch.

The New York Times - Food

Later, at a news conference in the backyard at Frederick, under the big trees, the family announced that they were going to sue the government for wrongful death.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the preposition "in" with "backyard" to indicate location: "in the backyard". This is the standard and grammatically correct form.

Common error

Avoid using "at" instead of "in" when referring to being within a backyard. "At" typically indicates a more general location or address, not enclosure. For instance, don't say "We are at the backyard"; instead, say "We are in the backyard".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the backyard" functions as a prepositional phrase, attempting to indicate location. However, it incorrectly uses the preposition "at" instead of "in". As Ludwig points out, this is not standard English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

21%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "at the backyard" appears with some frequency across various sources, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI highlights, the correct preposition to use is "in", making "in the backyard" the standard and accepted form. The intended purpose is to indicate a location, but using "at" is a common preposition error. To avoid this, always use "in" when referring to being located within a backyard. While the phrase may be understood, its incorrectness makes it less suitable for formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the backyard

Corrects the preposition to the standard usage, indicating location within the backyard.

in the garden

Replaces "backyard" with a synonym, keeping the preposition consistent and implying a cultivated outdoor space.

in the yard

Uses a more general term for the outdoor area, simplifying the description.

in the back garden

Combines "back" with "garden" suggesting a garden located at the back of a property.

on the patio

Specifies a paved area adjacent to the house, changing the location but maintaining an outdoor setting.

on the back lawn

Specifies a grassy area behind the house, more precise than just "backyard".

on the terrace

Refers to a raised, paved area, similar to a patio, but often larger and more elaborate.

at the rear of the house

Provides a more descriptive and formal alternative indicating the location behind the house.

in the outdoor area

Broadens the location to any outdoor space connected to the house.

at the back of the property

A more formal way to indicate the location at the rear boundary of the land.

FAQs

Which preposition is correct, "in the backyard" or "at the backyard"?

"In the backyard" is the correct prepositional phrase to use. The phrase "at the backyard" is generally considered grammatically incorrect.

What does it mean to be "in the backyard"?

Being "in the backyard" indicates that someone or something is located within the enclosed or defined area behind a house or building, typically a garden or yard.

Are there other ways to say "in the backyard"?

Yes, depending on the specific context, you could use phrases like "in the garden", "on the patio", or simply "in the yard".

Why is "at the backyard" considered incorrect?

The preposition "at" generally signifies a point or a general location, whereas "in" implies enclosure or being contained within a space. Since a backyard is a defined space, "in the backyard" is the grammatically appropriate choice.