in the back

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the back" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the location of an object, person, or event, or to refer to the end of something. For example, "I saw a puppy sleeping in the back of the store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He's in the back?

The New Yorker

Yes, in the back?

The New Yorker

"Around in the back street".

The New Yorker

I am in the back".

The New York Times - Sports

Janice got in the back.

The New Yorker

Sat quietly in the back.

The New York Times - Sports

I stayed in the back.

The New Yorker

Raw sewage in the back.

The New Yorker

In the back, a d.j.j

The New Yorker

Ample parking in the back.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

See Stab-in-the-back legend.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing directions, clarify if "in the back" means inside a building or behind it to avoid confusion. For example, "The entrance is around the side, in the back of the building."

Common error

Avoid using "in the back" without specifying what "back" refers to. Instead of saying, "I left it in the back", clarify, "I left it in the back of the car" or "I left it in the back room."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the back" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause by indicating location or direction. Ludwig's examples show its usage in specifying where something is situated.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

22%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

8%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in the back" is a very common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate location or direction. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts, including news, media and wikis. While generally neutral, clarity is key to avoiding ambiguity, and it should be used with specific reference to the area being described. Alternatives include ""at the rear"" or ""behind"", depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the back

Very similar, but without 'in the'.

in the rear

Similar to 'at the rear' but can also imply being behind.

behind

A simple preposition indicating a position at the back of something.

at the rear

Focuses on the rearmost part of something.

towards the back

Indicates movement or direction toward the back.

to the rear

Commands or directions to move towards the back.

at the back end

Emphasizes the terminal part or conclusion.

at the tail end

Highlights the very last part or segment.

in the hind part

A more formal or archaic way of saying 'in the back'.

in the after part

A nautical term for the back of a ship; generally less common.

FAQs

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

You can use "in the back" to indicate a location, such as "The store has ample parking "at the rear"". It can also refer to a position, like "Janice got "behind"."

What are some alternatives to "in the back"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like ""at the rear"", ""behind"", or "towards the back".

Is it always clear what "in the back" refers to?

No, sometimes it can be ambiguous. Always specify what you're referring to, such as "in the rear of the house" or "at the tail end of the line".

When is it more appropriate to use ""behind"" instead of "in the back"?

Use ""behind"" when indicating a position directly at the rear of something, especially when there is no enclosure involved. For example, "The dog is "behind" the car", versus "The dog is in the rear seat".