behind the house

USAGE SUMMARY

"behind the house" is a correct phrase that is commonly used in written English.
You can use it in almost any context when referring to the back area in relation to a house. For example: "We decided to hold the barbeque party behind the house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"What's behind the house?" "Woods.

The New Yorker

The swimming pool is behind the house.

The New York Times

Behind the house is a pool.

The New York Times

They were going around behind the house.

The New Yorker

Behind the house is a stone terrace.

The New York Times

There's also a pool behind the house.

The New York Times

Behind the house, there's a koi pond.

The New York Times

A garage behind the house remained intact.

The New York Times

OUTDOOR SPACE: A stone patio is behind the house.

The New York Times

Behind the house, black canvas awnings shade an eating area.

The New York Times

Behind the house is a pool bordered with limestone.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific feature or area, use "behind the house" to clearly indicate its location relative to the building. For example, "The patio is located "behind the house", offering a private outdoor space."

Common error

Avoid using "behind the house" when a more precise location is needed. For example, instead of saying "The shed is somewhere "behind the house", consider specifying: "The shed is located 20 feet behind the house near the oak tree".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "behind the house" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used as an adverbial of place. It modifies verbs or clauses by specifying where something is located in relation to the house. Ludwig's examples confirm its common usage in describing spatial relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "behind the house" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate a location or direction relative to a house. Ludwig's analysis confirms its widespread use, particularly in news and media, with a neutral formality. As Ludwig AI stated, this expression is considered correct and adaptable to diverse writing contexts. When using "behind the house", ensure clarity by specifying exactly what's located there or what action is taking place.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the back of the house

Common alternative, emphasizes the rear location.

at the rear of the house

More formal and spatially specific.

around the back of the house

Suggests movement or location encompassing the rear area.

on the backside of the house

Focuses on the physical side away from the front.

out back

More informal, implies a general area behind the house.

in the backyard

Refers specifically to the enclosed area behind a house.

on the far side of the house

Emphasizes distance from the front.

towards the rear of the property

More expansive, considering the entire land.

at the back of the dwelling

Very formal; 'dwelling' is more formal than 'house'.

rearward of the house

Archaic and unusually formal.

FAQs

How can I use "behind the house" in a sentence?

You can use "behind the house" to describe a location or activity at the rear of a building. For example, "We built a small garden "behind the house"".

What's a simple alternative to "behind the house"?

A simpler alternative is "in the back of the house", which conveys the same meaning in a less formal way.

Is it correct to say "at the behind of the house"?

No, the correct phrase is "behind the house". The preposition "behind" already indicates the rear location, so "at the behind" is redundant and grammatically incorrect.

How does "behind the house" differ from "in the backyard"?

"Behind the house" refers to the general area at the rear, while "in the backyard" specifically means the enclosed yard at the back of the property. The backyard is a subset of what could be "behind the house".