at/on/in the backyard (2024)

Hello everyone, I have some problems recognising the correct preposition to use in English so maybe you can help me to express myself correctly in this example:

I was trying to tell some friends how big some weeds grew in a backyard after a year off, the literal sentence I was writing is this:

This is what happens after a year off the house at/on/in the backyard in the countryside. ​

I'm more or less sure about the in preposition in "in the countryside". Because I'm talking about something inside an area. But to specify that is on the house backyard... I'm not so sure about it. Maybe its better to say just:

This is what happens after a year off the house backyard in the countryside. ​

How would you say it? Does any sentence (as they are now) sound right for you?

Regards.

It would depend on context: are you attaching a photo and describing it? are you talking to them when you're both/all in the backyard?

Going with the photo-description idea: "This is what happens when you're away for a year." Or "This is what happens when you leave home for a year."

If they're your friends, they probably know you live in the countryside and likely know that they're seeing your backyard and they'll certainly know you're talking about your home – plus they'll know you've been away for a year – so the first three details probably aren't necessary.

Copyright said:

It would depend on context: are you attaching a photo and describing it? are you talking to them when you're both/all in the backyard?

Going with the photo-description idea: "This is what happens when you're away for a year." Or "This is what happens when you leave home for a year."

If they're your friends, they probably know you live in the countryside and likely know that they're seeing your backyard and they'll certainly know you're talking about your home – plus they'll know you've been away for a year – so the first three details probably aren't necessary.

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Yes! That was the case, I was attaching a photo
I explain those details about where it is and that it is actually backyard because it's the house of my grandfather and none of them knows about it. That's why I'd like to keep that info.

Franco-filly said:

"in" is the correct choice here. Your original phrasing "grew in a backyard after a year off" is better than your other attempts. I'd suggest something like "This is what happens in the backyard after a year away"
cross-posted

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Ok, thank you @Franco-filly. Also... Do you use a year away instead of a year off for any reason or it's just a preference ?

Let's try again:

This is what happens in the house's backyard in the countryside after a year away / off.​

PS: Thank you for your replies.

Photo captions, either action/location, or location/action:

This is what happens when you're away for a year – the backyard of my grandfather's countryside home.
The backyard of my grandfather's countryside home – this is what happens when you're away for a year.

We take a year off from school or work, but not from a home.

Copyright said:

Photo captions, either action/location, or location/action:

This is what happens when you're away for a year – the backyard of my grandfather's countryside home.
The backyard of my grandfather's countryside home – this is what happens when you're away for a year.

We take a year off from school or work, but not from a home.

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Oh that's very interesting, I'll try to keep that in mind. Thank you!

The phrase I find awkward is

Piticli91 said:

in the house's backyard in the countryside

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If you need to mention where the backyard is, I suggest "in the back yard of a country house"

This is what happens to the backyard of a house in the countryside after a year away.

It happens to the backyard (BE: back garden)

of a house (the house possesses the backyard)

in the countryside (the house is in an area)

It's a year away because the house is a location.

kentix said:

This is what happens to the backyard of a house in the countryside after a year away.

It happens to the backyard (BE: back garden)

of a house (the house possesses the backyard)

in the countryside (the house is in an area)

It's a year away because the house is a location.

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Very informative, thank you all!