on the playground

USAGE SUMMARY

"on the playground" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a location or a place in which someone is playing outdoors. For example: "The children ran around on the playground, laughing and chasing each other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No one has teased you on the playground.

HuffPost

Just try that on the playground.

The New Yorker

They are the bully on the playground.

The New York Times

It's like on the playground, you know.

Princeton University

The residents on the playground didn't want to leave.

The New York Times

Everyone on the playground stopped to watch in amazement.

The New York Times - Magazine

Timothy saw Paul looking at him on the playground.

The New Yorker

(She had pushed another child on the playground).

The New York Times

"I'm always waving to her on the playground.

The Washington Post

It is terrible when that happens on the playground.

The Washington Post

Down on the playground, bands of children assaulted the swings.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing children's interactions, "on the playground" provides a specific and easily understood location. Use it to add clarity and context to your writing.

Common error

While "on the playground" is widely understood, it can sound informal in professional or academic writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "in the recreational area" or "at the play area" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the playground" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to specify the location where an action occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable English phrase. It pinpoints a specific place for activities described in a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

9%

HuffPost

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on the playground" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that specifies a location for activities, particularly those involving children. As Ludwig AI states, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English. While predominantly found in news and media contexts, it also appears in academic and business settings, although its register leans towards neutral to informal. When writing, it is best to use "on the playground" when specifying an environment of play for children, and it can be replaced with words like "at the play area" and/or "in the schoolyard".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the outdoor play area

Emphasizes that the play area is outdoors.

at the play area

Focuses on a designated area for play rather than specifically a playground.

in the schoolyard

Specifically refers to the yard of a school, potentially including the playground.

in the children's area

Highlights an area specifically designed for children.

during recess

Highlights the time period when children are free to play outdoors.

at the kindergarten

Links the action to the place for children of kindergarten age.

at the recreation ground

A broader term for an area dedicated to recreational activities, including but not limited to playgrounds.

during playtime

Focuses on the time dedicated to play, regardless of location.

on the playing field

Refers to a field specifically used for sports and games.

at the local park

Refers to a public park which may include a playground.

FAQs

How can I use "on the playground" in a sentence?

You can use "on the playground" to specify the location of an activity, like, "The children were playing tag "on the playground"" or "There was a fight "on the playground" today".

What are some alternatives to "on the playground"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "at the play area", "in the schoolyard", or "at the local park".

Is it appropriate to use "on the playground" in a formal document?

While grammatically correct, "on the playground" may sound informal in formal writing. Consider more formal phrases like "in the recreational area" or "at the play area".

What kind of activities typically happen "on the playground"?

Activities "on the playground" often include playing games like tag or hide-and-seek, using playground equipment such as swings and slides, and socializing with peers.