school grounds

USAGE SUMMARY

"school grounds" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You could use it when referring to the outdoor area of the school, for example: The children played on the school grounds during recess.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But he remained worried about exposure outside school grounds.

The New York Times

New office buildings have encroached on the school grounds.

The New York Times

The number of trees on school grounds, the size of the school grounds, and the presence of sports fields were modestly correlated with greater outside recess time.

Journal of Environmental Psychology

However, many studies have focused on pre-school and primary school grounds, while less is known about school grounds for adolescents.

Urban Forestry & Urban Greening

These results may help school personnel design and maintain school grounds that increase outdoor recess time.

Journal of Environmental Psychology

If the school grounds are uninspiring, make them better!

The Guardian

The results show that school grounds were appreciated, but also that many chose to stay indoors.

Urban Forestry & Urban Greening

Friday's crowd began descending on the school grounds at dawn.

The New York Times

Soldiers set fire to chicken farms outside the school grounds.

The New York Times - Magazine

At 8 46 a.m., the school grounds go silent.

The New York Times

"We would often see him in the school grounds".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about activities or events, specify which part of the "school grounds" is relevant, e.g., the playground, sports field, or garden.

Common error

Avoid using "school grounds" when referring to a specific area within the school property, such as the gymnasium or library. Use more precise terms to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "school grounds" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. As shown by Ludwig, it refers to the land surrounding the school buildings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the noun phrase "school grounds" correctly refers to the outdoor area surrounding a school, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is very commonly used in a neutral register across various contexts, including news, scientific research, and formal documents. To enhance clarity, specify which part of the grounds you're referring to. While alternatives like "school premises" exist, they encompass a broader area. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase "school grounds" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

schoolyard

Replaces "grounds" with "yard", implying a more enclosed or play-focused area.

schoolyard

Replaces "grounds" with "yard", implying a more enclosed or play-focused area.

school premises

Formal alternative, referring to the entire property including buildings.

school property

Refers to the land owned by the school.

school's outdoor area

Descriptive alternative, specifying the outdoor component.

campus

Broader term, applicable to universities and colleges, not just schools.

school site

Emphasizes the location or building site of the school.

playing fields

Specifically refers to areas designated for sports and recreation.

school gardens

Specifies cultivated area inside the school grounds

school playground

Denotes just the area with playing equipments for students inside the school grounds

FAQs

How can I use "school grounds" in a sentence?

You can use "school grounds" to refer to the outdoor area surrounding a school building, such as "The children played on the "school grounds" during recess".

What's the difference between "school grounds" and "school premises"?

"School grounds" typically refers to the outdoor areas, while "school premises" encompasses the entire property, including buildings.

What can I say instead of "school grounds"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "schoolyard", "campus" (if it's a college or university), or "playing fields" if you're referring to sports areas.

Is it correct to say "school ground" instead of "school grounds"?

While "school ground" might be understood, ""school grounds"" is the more common and grammatically standard form, especially when referring to the entire outdoor area.