outside of the school

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outside of the school" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a location that is not within the boundaries of a school. For example, "I could hear the children playing outside of the school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

In Ontario, Canada, the province's secondary school education goals include: creating opportunities for hands-on learning and recognising learning opportunities that are available from outside of the school (The Ministry of Education 2008).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

If you do decide to go this route, just realize that you will most likely need a very strong network of support from outside of the school, as well as a supportive departmental environment and mentor.

Science Magazine

Educators should make room for some aimlessness, in and/or outside of the school day!

Huffington Post

"From the outside of the school you see the faces of our ancestors but I feel it's misleading because the leadership of the school is not representative of the community in which many of the youth live.

Huffington Post

Tubman is a relatively small school, and the students benefited from access to the principal; he was frequently observed by our team to be interacting with students in the hallways and outside of the school immediately after the school day.

American Journal of Community Psychology

Never leave the school grounds in large groups of people who aren't allowed- regroup outside of the school gates.

WikiHow

They're shooting some b-ball outside of the school!

The Guardian - Travel

Three million children who are outside of the school system.

The New York Times

For students who are struggling, it can provide crucial supplemental or remedial help outside of the school walls.

The New York Times

"It was so easy to cut class," said Jasmine Cruz, a ninth grader standing outside of the school with a friend.

The New York Times

The fact is that online incidents, even if they take place outside of the school network, play out offline at school, for days, weeks and months.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events or activities, use "outside of the school" to clearly delineate between the school environment and other locations, emphasizing a change of setting or context.

Common error

Ensure that your sentence clearly indicates what 'outside of the school' refers to. Vague references can cause confusion. For example, specify if it refers to location, activities, or influence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outside of the school" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies verbs or clauses to specify the location or context of an action or state, indicating that it occurs beyond the physical or administrative boundaries of a school. As stated in Ludwig, the phrase is correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

33%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "outside of the school" is a versatile and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to specify locations, activities, or influences that are not within the school environment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and widely used in various contexts. While typically neutral in tone, more formal alternatives may be appropriate for academic writing. Its high frequency, particularly in news and media, underscores its relevance in contemporary communication. When using the phrase, clarity is key to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

off school grounds

Replaces 'outside of the school' with a more concise phrase focusing on the physical location.

beyond the school walls

Emphasizes the boundary of the school, suggesting a broader scope beyond its physical structure.

away from the school environment

Focuses on the environment rather than just the location, implying a different setting or atmosphere.

not within the school premises

A more formal and precise way of indicating that something is not located on school property.

external to the school

Uses 'external' for a slightly more formal tone, indicating a location or activity that is not part of the school itself.

out of school

A simpler and more direct way to say not in school, often used to refer to activities that take place when school is not in session.

in the community

Shifts the focus to the broader community, implying activities or locations outside the immediate school setting.

after school hours

Specifically refers to the time after the school day ends, implying activities that occur then.

in extracurricular settings

Specifically refers to activities that are not part of the academic curriculum, suggesting leisure activities.

at home

Focuses on the home environment, contrasting with the school environment.

FAQs

How can I use "outside of the school" in a sentence?

Use "outside of the school" to indicate a location, activity, or influence that isn't within the school's boundaries or jurisdiction. For example, "Students often gather "off school grounds" after classes."

What are some alternatives to "outside of the school"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "beyond the school walls", "away from the school environment", or "external to the school" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it more formal to say "external to the school" instead of "outside of the school"?

"External to the school" is generally considered more formal than "outside of the school". Use it in contexts where a more professional or academic tone is appropriate.

When should I use "outside of the school" versus "after school"?

Use "outside of the school" when referring to a location or environment that is not part of the school. Use "after school" when specifically referring to the time period following the end of the school day.