prone on the ground

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prone on the ground" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone lying flat or face down on the ground, often in a context related to injury or positioning. Example: "After the fall, he was found prone on the ground, unable to move."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Wiki

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

By this time, the student being demonstrated upon is prone on the ground, unhurt but pinned by one of Mr. Marks's knees.

The New York Times

Her mother, San Thar Myint, found her lying prone on the ground, bleeding and in shock.

The Guardian

In the bedroom, Dipendra was found "prone on the ground," trying to undo his clothes.

The New York Times

Out front, the gold-painted statue of Saddam Hussein lies prone on the ground.

The New York Times

When he reached the rear of the parking lot, Geller said, the man was prone on the ground, dead of a gunshot wound police believe was self-inflicted.

The Washington Post

Ronaldo lying prone on the ground was the last thing Brazil wanted to see but he got up after a while.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

But Nero is guilty of assault, Bledsoe argued, for continuing to detain Gray by handcuffing, searching and placing him in a prone position on the ground when, she said, Gray hadn't done anything to justify the detention.

The Washington Post

It focused on how Paul Bäumer, Remarque's narrator and tragic main character, became, in a way, Mr. DiBattista's brother: "(We) looked at each other with silent stares, our arms curled over our skulls, in prone positions on the ground as bombs fell over us.

The New York Times

Often, she places the quotidian and the mysterious side by side: the timber-framed house where Hodges lived is rendered in square-format black-and-white amid its sun-shadowed surroundings, while opposite, a white puppy lies prone on the leafy ground, the pinkish hue on its skin suggesting an alien light source.

The Guardian - Arts

The new witness, John Bennett, a 34-year-old former tow truck driver, told jurors that he saw two police officers who rushed upon the scene punch a man who lay prone and unresisting on the ground on the night of April 11 , 1999 after being chased by a third officer.

The New York Times

Tony Rice, an activist who tweets as @Search4Swag captured video (WARNING: graphic images and profanity) of Harris lying prone and bleeding on the ground.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a scene, use "prone on the ground" to clearly convey the subject's position, especially in medical or emergency contexts for accurate reporting.

Common error

Avoid confusing "prone on the ground" (face down) with 'supine on the ground' (face up). Using the wrong term can alter the meaning and create confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prone on the ground" functions as a descriptive prepositional phrase, indicating the position of a person or object. It specifies that the subject is in a prone (face-down) position and is located on the ground. Ludwig provides several examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sport

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prone on the ground" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe someone or something lying face down on the ground. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, particularly in news and media, sports, and general descriptive writing. When writing, it's important to distinguish "prone" from "supine" and to use "prone on the ground" when a precise description of the face-down position is needed. Alternatives such as "lying face down on the ground" or "flat on the ground" can be used for variety, depending on the specific emphasis desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lying face down on the ground

Emphasizes the orientation of the body and the act of lying.

lying flat on the ground

Focuses on the flatness and contact with the ground.

flat on the ground

A more concise way of saying something is lying completely on the ground.

on the ground prostrate

Uses 'prostrate' to indicate submission or helplessness.

face down on the earth

A more poetic or dramatic way of describing the position.

horizontal on the ground

Emphasizes the horizontal orientation of the subject.

collapsed on the ground

Suggests a sudden fall or loss of consciousness.

sprawled on the ground

Implies a relaxed or ungainly position.

prone and grounded

Emphasizes the state of being grounded and unable to move.

supine on the ground

Describes lying face up instead of face down.

FAQs

What does "prone on the ground" mean?

The phrase "prone on the ground" describes a position where someone is lying flat with their face down on the ground.

What can I say instead of "prone on the ground"?

You can use alternatives like "lying face down on the ground", "flat on the ground", or "on the ground prostrate depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "prone on the ground"?

It is appropriate to use "prone on the ground" when you want to specifically describe someone's position as lying face down on a surface, such as after an injury, during a police procedure, or in a tactical situation.

Is it better to say "prone on the ground" or "lying down"?

While "lying down" is a general term, "prone on the ground" is more specific. Use "prone on the ground" when the face-down position is relevant to the description. Otherwise, "lying down" might suffice.