on school grounds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on school grounds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to activities or events that take place within the physical boundaries of a school property. Example: "Students are not allowed to use their phones on school grounds during class hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This person is scheduled to speak or perform on school grounds exactly in one month.

The New York Times

Further, less than one percent of all violent crimes happen on school grounds.

Huffington Post

Can you accommodate the protest on school grounds?

Harvard University

The school superintendent didn't want the environmental investigator on school grounds.

The New York Times

Gangs periodically held nighttime rites on school grounds, and Jackson reported them without result.

The New Yorker

It applies – despite what kids sometimes are told — even on school grounds, even during school time.

The New York Times

For about a half year, Waldrop engaged Gebser in sexual relations but never on school grounds.

Encyclopedia Britannica

More trees on school grounds provide a welcoming environment for students and teachers, and encourage outside play.

Journal of Environmental Psychology

All the incidents occurred on school grounds, officials said, but it was unclear last night exactly where on school grounds they happened.

The New York Times

Bayer wasn't on school grounds the March day the fire alarm sounded.

The Washington Post

So might keeping an anti-grizzly gun on school grounds actually make sense there?

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing rules or policies, use "on school grounds" to clearly define where those rules apply.

Common error

Avoid using "at school" when you specifically mean within the physical boundaries of the school's property. "At school" is more general and can refer to activities related to school but not necessarily happening on the grounds.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on school grounds" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to specify the location where an action occurs or a state exists. As shown by Ludwig, it indicates that something is happening or located within the physical boundaries of the school property.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

16%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on school grounds" is a prepositional phrase used to denote actions, events, or regulations occurring within the physical boundaries of a school. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and its frequency is very common. This phrase appears most often in news and media, academic texts, and scientific publications, maintaining a generally neutral register but leaning towards formality in legal or official contexts. For clarity, avoid confusing it with the broader term "at school", which isn't necessarily limited to the school's physical property. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively and accurately use "on school grounds" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the grounds of the school

This phrase is a slight variation on the original, with essentially the same meaning.

within school premises

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the legal or official boundaries of the school.

on school property

This alternative is more formal and focuses on the legal ownership of the land.

on campus

This phrase is commonly used, particularly in higher education contexts, to refer to the school's grounds.

within the school's boundaries

This phrase emphasizes the defined limits of the school's territory.

at the educational institution

This is a very formal alternative, suitable for official or legal contexts.

at the school

This is a more general term that refers to the location of the school.

inside the school zone

This alternative specifically refers to an area around the school defined by legal or administrative regulations.

at the school facility

This refers specifically to the buildings and infrastructure that make up the school.

in the schoolyard

This refers specifically to the outdoor area surrounding the school building.

FAQs

What does "on school grounds" mean?

The phrase "on school grounds" refers to the area within the boundaries of the school property, including buildings, fields, and other facilities.

What's the difference between "on school grounds" and "at school"?

"On school grounds" refers specifically to the physical location of the school property. "At school" is broader and can refer to anything related to school activities, whether or not they occur on the school's physical property. For example, doing homework at home is "at school" related, but not "on school grounds".

Are there synonyms for "on school grounds"?

Yes, alternatives include "within school premises", "on campus", or "on school property", depending on the context.

How is the phrase "on school grounds" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "on school grounds" is commonly used to specify where an event, rule, or activity is taking place or is applicable. For instance, "Possession of weapons is prohibited on school grounds".