29th April 2019 by Andrew 3 Comments

Pronunciation:     /bæk/

“back” is a very common word in English. We use “back” in many different situations.

“back” is a noun, verb, adjective and adverb. Let’s look at each one.

There are two uses of “back” as a noun:

Let’s look at each one.

“back” is part of the body as per this photograph:

Examples:He is lying on his back.David is scratching his back.

“back” is the opposite of “front”.“back” describes part of an object that is the furthest from the front.

Examples:

The driver is at the front of the bus.Mark is at the back of the bus.

This is the back of Mark’s hand.

There is a towel on the back of the chair.I found my pen in the back of the drawer.

There are two uses of “back” as a verb:

Let’s look at each one.

Meaning: To give support to someone or something with money or words.

Examples:

Jane: My colleagues backed my idea during the meeting.

I asked the bank for a loan but they are refusing to back me.The politicians backed the Prime Minister’s plans.

Meaning:To reverse a car.To drive a car backwards (opposite of forwards).

Example:Your car is blocking the entrance. Please back up a few metres.

Form: back into somethingMeaning: To crash into something while moving backwards.

Example:

Mark: I had a car accident yesterday.Jane: What happened?Mark: I backed into a lamppost!

“back” as an adjective describes position. The meaning is the opposite of “front”. We write “back” immediately before the noun.

Examples:

Here is the back garden. and here is the back door.

There is a coat on the back seat of the car. Is it yours?

An adverb modifies a verb. “back” modifies lots of verbs in English and it is this use that causes most confusion to learners of English.

The general meaning of “back” as an adverb is “return”.

In this section we will look at the following verbs and structures:

Let’s look at each one in detail.

Meaning: Return to a previous place.

Example:7 o’clock – Mark leaves home and he goes to London:

10 o’clock – Mark leaves London and he goes back home:

Form: put something backMeaning: Return an object to a previous place.

Example:I have taken the keys from your bag. I will put them back later.

Form: take something backMeaning: Return an object to a previous place.

Example:The gloves are the wrong size. I am going to take them back to the shop.

Form: carry something backMeaning: Return an object to a previous place by carrying it.

Example:Mark is carrying the boxes back to the lorry.

Meaning: Look behind you

Example:I was walking in the park. I heard a loud noise behind me. I looked back and I saw a dog.

We also use “back” as an adverb to describe doing the same action to someone in return. Someone does an action to you and you do the same action in return. You do it back to them.

Examples:

Jane shouted at Mark and he shouted back at her.Jane kissed Mark. Mark kissed Jane back.“If you kick me, I will kick you back!”

Form: call someone backMeaning: To return a phone call to someone.

Example:Jane: “Hi Sarah.”Sarah: “Hi Jane. I can’t talk now. I will call you back tonight.”

Form: write back to someoneMeaning: To reply to someone in writing.

Example:Manager: We have received an email from Mr Jones.Jane: Yes I know. I will write back to him later.

English lessons on our Youtube channelMeaning and use of “to be used to”English expressions with the verb KEEPMeaning and use of STILL in EnglishIrregular verbs in EnglishList of all lessons

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