back of the book

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "back of the book" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is typically used to refer to the end of a book, usually where the index and other appendices are located. For example, "I looked up the word in the index at the back of the book."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I flipped to the back of the book.

The New Yorker

Great writing also dominates the back of the book.

The Guardian

Hernandez immediately flips to the back of the book.

The New York Times - Sports

Tucked in the back of the book is one more suggestion of where Apple is headed.

The New York Times

At the back of the book are observations from the photographers about their subjects.

The New Yorker

(A table at the back of the book makes for compulsive reading).

The Economist

Your reference list at the back of the book is nearly fifty sources long.

The New Yorker

Turn to the back of the book, however, and the chronology of humiliation hits a bump.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

We treat medical tests as if they provide these back-of-the-book answers.

The New York Times - Magazine

Back-of-the-book columns covered the theatre, books, night clubs, polo — everything.

The New Yorker

Back-of-the-book columns covered the theatre, books, night clubs, polo everything.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "back of the book" to indicate supplementary material rather than the main narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "back of the book" to describe a physical position unless it is literally the back cover. Use it primarily to refer to the book's ending sections.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "back of the book" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the location of certain elements within a book, such as an index, glossary, or appendices. As seen in Ludwig, this phrase specifies where to find supplementary information or reference materials.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "back of the book" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to refer to the concluding sections of a book, such as the index, appendices, or bibliography. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide applicability across various contexts. It is frequently found in news and media, as well as academic writing, serving to direct readers to supplementary information. While alternatives like "end of the book" or "final section of the book" exist, "back of the book" remains a clear and concise way to indicate these sections, ensuring readers can easily locate the content they need. Remember to use the phrase to indicate supplementary material and avoid confusing it with the physical placement of the back cover.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

end of the book

Replaces "back" with "end", focusing on the concluding section.

rear of the book

Substitutes "back" with "rear", maintaining the spatial reference.

latter part of the book

Emphasizes the sequential position towards the end.

final section of the book

Highlights the concluding portion with a focus on sections.

concluding pages of the book

Specifies the pages at the end of the book.

at the back

Shortened version, suitable when the context implies 'of the book'.

towards the end of the book

Indicates a general location near the conclusion.

appendix section

Refers specifically to the appendix, typically found at the end.

reference section

Refers to sections like bibliography or index at the end.

end matter

A more formal term for material at the end of a book.

FAQs

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

You can say, "The answers to the exercises are in the "back of the book"" or "Check the index in the "back of the book" for more information."

What's a synonym for "back of the book"?

Alternatives include "end of the book", "rear of the book", or "final section of the book", depending on the context.

What type of information is typically found at the "back of the book"?

Common inclusions are indexes, appendices, bibliographies, endnotes, and sometimes author biographies or supplementary materials.

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

No, the correct and idiomatic phrasing is ""back of the book"". The phrase "in the back of book" is grammatically incorrect.