church grounds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "church grounds" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to refer to the outdoor area surrounding a church building. An example is: "The community gathered on the church grounds for the annual picnic." Alternative expressions include "church property" and "churchyard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He also ordered five wind turbines for the church grounds.

The New York Times

21 at the Synod Hall on the church grounds.

The New York Times

There are 4,000 desperate souls in the church grounds.

The Guardian

His parishioners even reported seeing drivers urinating on church grounds, he added.

The New York Times

Participants can learn about becoming guides or assisting in the kitchen and on the church grounds.

The New York Times - Arts

The original said that Bach's remains 'lie in the [St Thomas's] church grounds".

The Guardian - Travel

As we drove our wagon to the church grounds, I was almost giddy with happiness.

The New Yorker

Many do not wear habits or clerical collars, especially when they step outside church grounds.

The New York Times

When I entered the church grounds that afternoon, a fête was in progress.

The Guardian - Books

When she walked out of the church grounds she saw that he was already a block away.

The New Yorker

At least two of the young men on the church grounds carried what appeared to be crude pistols.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid ambiguity, specify the particular area within the "church grounds" if necessary, such as the garden, parking lot, or playground.

Common error

Avoid using "church grounds" interchangeably with terms like "sanctuary" or "nave", which refer to indoor spaces within the church. "Church grounds" specifically refers to the outdoor area.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "church grounds" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It denotes the land surrounding a church building. As stated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

25%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "church grounds" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to the land surrounding a church. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usability. It functions primarily to specify a location and maintains a neutral tone, suitable for various writing styles. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, suggesting its broad recognition and applicability in describing real-world events and settings associated with churches. While alternatives like "church property" or ""churchyard"" exist, "church grounds" offers a straightforward and generally applicable term for the outdoor area surrounding a church.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grounds of the church

A slightly more verbose way of saying "church grounds".

church property

Refers to the land and buildings owned by the church.

churchyard

Specifically refers to the enclosed grounds around a church, often including a graveyard.

parish grounds

Emphasizes the connection to the parish community rather than just the church building.

cathedral grounds

Specifies that the grounds belong to a cathedral, which is a larger and more important church.

chapel grounds

Specifies the grounds belong to a chapel, which is smaller than a church.

church premises

A more formal term for the buildings and land occupied by the church.

precincts of the church

Refers to the area immediately surrounding the church building.

religious grounds

A broader term that could refer to the grounds of any religious institution.

holy ground

Emphasizes the sacred nature of the land.

FAQs

How is "church grounds" typically used in a sentence?

"Church grounds" is used to specify the outdoor area surrounding a church, as in: "The annual picnic was held on the "church grounds"."

What's a good alternative for "church grounds"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "church property" or "churchyard". "Church property" is more general, while "churchyard" often implies a graveyard is present.

Is it appropriate to use "church grounds" in formal writing?

Yes, "church grounds" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. It's a clear and widely understood term.

What does "on church grounds" imply about an event's location?

Saying an event is "on "church grounds"" means it's taking place in the outdoor area associated with the church, not inside the building itself.