rear of the building

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rear of the building" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to the back or behind part of a building. Example: The delivery truck pulled up to the rear of the building to unload the packages.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

The show took place at noon the following day, in a large space at the rear of the building.

The New Yorker

An Australian flag hung at the rear of the building.

The New York Times

It did, however, lop off the rear of the building.

The New York Times

At the hospital they parked at the rear of the building.

The New Yorker

Small openings in the rear of the building allow them access but keep predators out.

The New York Times

The entrance to their home is in the rear of the building.

The New York Times

When she saw Morgan in the rear of the building, she threw her arms around him.

The New Yorker

A new entrance at the rear of the building will lead to a gated parking lot.

The New York Times

The selling price includes two parking spaces at the rear of the building.

The New York Times

"The rear of the building had been a kind of stable," Ms. Nerber said.

The New York Times - Arts

So Dr. Weitzman directed the limousine to the rear of the building, where the child debarked.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When giving directions or describing a location, be specific about which side of the building you're referring to. Instead of just saying "meet me at the building", specify "meet me at the "rear of the building"".

Common error

While "rear of the building" and "back of the building" are often used interchangeably, "rear" can sometimes imply a more formal or architectural context. Use "back" in casual conversation and "rear" when describing building plans or formal property assessments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rear of the building" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as an adverbial to specify a location or direction. As Ludwig AI underlines, it indicates the back part of a building. Examples from Ludwig show it used in contexts like parking, entrances, or construction descriptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rear of the building" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the back side of a building. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions primarily to indicate spatial location. While generally neutral in register, "rear" can sometimes imply a more formal context than "back". It is frequently found in News & Media sources, providing clear directional information. Remember to specify clearly and be cautious about potential confusion. When you have doubts, be inspired by the alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Back of the building

Replaces "rear" with "back", offering a more common and informal alternative.

Backside of the building

Substitutes "rear" with "backside", adding a slightly more descriptive and informal tone.

Behind the building

Uses a prepositional phrase to indicate the location relative to the building.

The building's back

Uses a possessive construction to denote the rear part of the building.

The rear facade of the building

Replaces "rear" with "rear facade", which refers to the back side of the building.

The back part of the building

Offers a more descriptive phrasing, explicitly mentioning the "back part".

The posterior of the building

Replaces "rear" with "posterior", which is very formal.

At the back of the building

Uses the preposition "at" with "back" to specify a location at the building's rear.

The reverse side of the building

Uses reverse side instead of rear.

The furthest point back of the building

Offers a longer alternative for back.

FAQs

What is another way to say "rear of the building"?

You can use phrases like "back of the building", "backside of the building", or "behind the building" as alternatives to "rear of the building".

Is it correct to say "back of the building" instead of "rear of the building"?

Yes, "back of the building" is a common and acceptable alternative to "rear of the building", particularly in informal contexts. "Rear of the building" might be perceived as slightly more formal.

How do I use "rear of the building" in a sentence?

You can use "rear of the building" to describe a location: "The delivery entrance is located at the "rear of the building"". Or to give directions: "Go to the "rear of the building" and you will find the service entrance".

Which is more formal, "rear of the building" or "back of the building"?

"Rear of the building" is generally considered more formal than "back of the building". The choice depends on the context and your desired tone.