whose back is to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whose back is to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is facing away from a particular direction or object. Example: "In the crowded room, she noticed a man whose back is to the door, oblivious to the commotion outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A man, whose back is to the viewer, fades into curtains.

The New York Times

He plays an exquisite 30-yard pass straight to Bergkamp, whose back is to goal when he receives it.

The Guardian - Sport

A new commercial opens on a woman named Kimberley Vandlen, who is overweight, standing in a kitchen speaking to a woman whose back is to the camera.

The New York Times

Monkey charges for Denver, whose back is to now to him, but Denver is sober enough to notice.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

So God, whose back was to the wall, made a wager with Satan.

The New Yorker

"Wolfie!" he shouted at a man who seemed almost seven feet tall and whose back was to us.

The New Yorker

Hill had swooped in and made the catch instead of first baseman Matt Stairs, whose back was to Posada.

The New York Times

It was a lovely tip from Shelley, whose back was to the net, giving him his second goal of the season — the previous one coming Friday night.

The New York Times - Sports

They chanted for about three minutes while Mr. Mattox, whose back was to the audience, remained facing forward, his eyes locked on a notepad that lay before him.

The New York Times

Giambi, whose back was to Bradley on the play, looked angry and took a few steps toward Bradley, who trotted off.

The New York Times - Sports

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Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "whose back is to" when you want to describe someone's physical orientation in relation to a specific object or direction, particularly when the person's identity or action is relevant to the narrative.

Common error

Avoid confusing "whose" with "who's". "Whose" indicates possession (e.g., "whose back"), while "who's" is a contraction of "who is" (e.g., "who's going?").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whose back is to" functions as a relative clause modifying a noun, typically a person. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to specify the orientation or position of someone's back in relation to another object or direction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "whose back is to" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that functions as a relative clause, providing descriptive detail about someone's physical orientation. Ludwig confirms its validity, and while its frequency is uncommon, it finds its primary context in news and media. To avoid errors, remember the difference between "whose" and "who's". Alternatives such as "facing away from" or "turned away from" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having their back to

Uses a participial phrase instead of a relative clause, maintaining similar formality.

with their back turned towards

Replaces "whose" with "their" and uses a prepositional phrase instead of a relative clause; slightly more descriptive.

turned away from

Similar to "facing away from" but emphasizes the action of turning.

facing away from

Uses a simpler verb phrase to convey the same idea, suitable for less formal contexts.

with their rear facing

More descriptive and less common, specifying the rear aspect.

backwards to

Uses a simpler adverbial phrase, less formal and slightly ambiguous.

with the back presented to

More formal and descriptive, suitable for technical or detailed descriptions.

obstructed view towards

Focuses on the consequence of the position rather than the position itself; less direct.

with their gaze averted from

Implies a deliberate act of turning away; adds a layer of intentionality.

having the posterior directed at

Very formal and technical, rarely used in common speech.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "whose back is to" in a sentence?

You can rephrase it using alternatives like "facing away from", "turned away from", or "with their back turned towards", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "whose back is to"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. "Whose" is the possessive form of "who", and the phrase is used to describe the orientation of someone's back in relation to something else. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable.

What's the difference between "whose back is to" and "who's back is to"?

"Whose back is to" indicates possession, meaning the back belongs to someone. "Who's back is to" (using "who's", which is a contraction of "who is") doesn't make sense in this context. Always use the possessive form "whose".

Can I use "whose back is to" in formal writing?

Yes, the phrase is suitable for formal writing, especially in descriptive contexts where specifying someone's physical orientation is important. Examples from The New York Times demonstrate its acceptability in professional news contexts.