in the trunk

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the trunk" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used to refer to the interior storage compartment of a car, or the compartment at the back of a sedan, coupe, or convertible that opens to allow access to the storage area. Here are some examples of how "in the trunk" can be used in a sentence: 1. "I couldn't find my keys this morning, but then I remembered I left them in the trunk of my car." 2. "The spare tire is located in the trunk of the vehicle." 3. "She placed the groceries in the trunk of the car before heading home." 4. "The detectives found the murder weapon hidden in the trunk of the suspect's car." 5. "We packed our suitcases carefully, making sure not to leave anything behind in the trunk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cooler of beer jammed in the trunk.

Vice

In the trunk.

The New Yorker

Dumile packed the equipment in the trunk.

The New Yorker

Testes are situated in the trunk.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I basically sat in the trunk.

The New York Times - Sports

They locked her in the trunk.

The New York Times

Maybe Sarkozy was in the trunk.

The New Yorker

That was in the trunk.

The Guardian

"Put me in the trunk.

The New York Times

Your god is safe in the trunk".

The New York Times

There are two umbrellas in the trunk.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions or directions, clearly specify "in the trunk" to avoid ambiguity about the storage location within a vehicle. For example, instead of saying 'The spare tire is there', specify 'The spare tire is "in the trunk"'.

Common error

Avoid using "in the trunk" when the audience may not be familiar with cars or American English. Use more descriptive terms such as "in the car's storage compartment" or "in the boot" (for British English) to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the trunk" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by indicating location. It specifies where something is situated, as Ludwig AI confirms, with examples such as "The spare tire is located in the trunk of the vehicle."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Unknown/unmatched sources

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the trunk" is a common prepositional phrase used to specify the location of something within a vehicle's storage compartment. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical status and provides numerous examples from reliable sources. While it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, its usage is generally neutral and understandable in a variety of settings. To ensure clarity, especially with diverse audiences, consider using more descriptive terms like "in the vehicle's storage compartment" or adapting to regional variations such as "inside the boot".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inside the boot

Replaces "trunk" with "boot", which is more common in British English.

within the trunk

Substitutes "in" with "within", implying containment.

in the car's trunk

Adds "car's" for clarity, specifying the type of trunk.

stored in the trunk

Emphasizes the action of storage using the verb "stored".

located in the trunk

Uses "located" to highlight the position or placement.

packed in the trunk

Highlights the act of packing something into the trunk.

carried in the trunk

Focuses on the action of transporting items in the trunk.

placed in the trunk

Emphasizes the act of putting something into the trunk.

at the rear of the vehicle

More formal and descriptive; avoids the word "trunk" entirely.

in the vehicle's storage compartment

A very formal and detailed way of specifying the trunk.

FAQs

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

You can use "in the trunk" to specify the location of an object within a car's storage area. For example, "I keep a first-aid kit in the trunk".

What are some alternatives to saying "in the trunk"?

You can use alternatives like "inside the boot" (British English) or "within the trunk" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "at the trunk" instead of "in the trunk"?

No, it's more appropriate to use "in the trunk" to denote that something is located inside the storage compartment. "At the trunk" would imply being near the trunk, not inside it.

Which is more formal, "in the trunk" or "in the vehicle's storage compartment"?

"In the vehicle's storage compartment" is more formal. "In the trunk" is generally considered neutral and suitable for everyday conversation.