backyard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "backyard" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the area behind a house, typically used for outdoor activities or gardening. Example: "The children played in the backyard while their parents prepared the barbecue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the USP has to be three nights' camping in the gorillas' backyard - the aptly named Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

The Guardian - Travel

More than this, the conflicts have reminded everybody else that the French still regard this part of their world as their backyard The long French involvement in African affairs, from Rwanda to north Africa, has also been marked by bloody massacres and torture.

The Guardian

With Brian Cowen's party almost permanently distracted by the crisis in its own backyard that potential USP is lost for the near future.

The Guardian

Unless, of course, the bomb goes off in our own backyard.

The Guardian - Opinion

The eggs at breakfast were from their chickens in the backyard.

The Guardian - Travel

The non-Canadian ones have all been dragged from backyard grills to present their take on the week's big stories for their teams, while the Canadian ones would like to point out that for a fuller picture of the weekend's action you might want to watch Canada vs Martinique when they get the Gold Cup action underway at the Rose Bowl on Sunday afternoon.

The Guardian - Sport

Just as important was the impression that he was enjoying the fight in Johnson's backyard.

The Guardian - Sport

Conor Jameson, author of Silent Spring Revisited, told the RSPB that the wren's performances in backyard debates and passionate independence had won him over.

The Guardian

Seated on a mat on the backyard floor of her home in Atirir trading centre, she said: "The community has always complained that the impact has been so little; this is obviously because the sub-county is so wide and a dot in an ocean is not easy to recognise".

The Guardian

But it is possible in many countries of the world and those who enjoy freedom should cherish it and take advantage of it to be concerned about more than their own backyard... they are brothers and sisters to us.

The Guardian

Seven years ago Allira watched the Live 8 concert on a battered old LG TV in her uncle's backyard.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific part of a property, use "backyard" to clearly indicate the rear outdoor space. Consider "garden" or "outdoor area" for a more general reference.

Common error

Avoid using "backyard" in highly formal or professional documents; opt for more sophisticated terms like "rear garden" or "outdoor space" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "backyard" is as a noun, typically referring to the outdoor space behind a house. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a commonly used term. Examples show it describing locations, activities, and even metaphorical spaces.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "backyard" is a common noun denoting the area behind a house, used for recreation or gardening. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While suitable for most contexts, formal settings may benefit from alternatives like "rear garden". It appears frequently in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science articles. The most authoritative sources using the term include The Guardian and The Economist. When writing, use "backyard" to clearly define the rear outdoor space, but consider formality when choosing vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rear garden

Refers specifically to a garden located at the back of a property, a more formal term.

outdoor area

A broader term referring to any space outside the house, not necessarily at the back.

garden

A general term for an area used for growing plants, which may or may not be located at the rear of a house.

private garden

Implies the garden is exclusive to the property owners, clarifying access.

patio

Describes a paved outdoor area, typically used for dining or recreation.

yard

A general term for the area surrounding a house, without specifying location.

home garden

Emphasizes the location of the garden at the house.

landscaped area

Focuses on the design and aesthetic qualities of the outdoor space.

premises' garden

More formal, specifying a garden related to a building.

grounds

Refers to the area surrounding a building, especially a large one.

FAQs

How can I use "backyard" in a sentence?

You can use "backyard" to describe the area behind a house, like in the sentence "The children are playing in the backyard."

What can I say instead of "backyard"?

You can use alternatives like "rear garden", "outdoor area", or "garden" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "backyard" in a formal document?

While "backyard" is widely understood, in formal contexts, it's often better to use terms like "rear garden" or "outdoor space" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "backyard" and "garden"?

"Backyard" specifically refers to the area behind a house, while "garden" is a more general term for an area where plants are grown, which could be located anywhere on the property.