A 1940 grammar book for American high school students says that the expression “back of the house” is “not good usage in an ordinary composition” but is “acceptable in conversation.”
He does not tell us what is “good usage in an ordinary composition.”
May I have your thoughts?
James
In what context is “back of the house” supposed not to be good usage? I don’t immediately see any problem with it.
Neither do I. Maybe he expects “rear of the house”?
Not sure…
Perhaps another AmE speaker here might be able to shed some light…
Thanks.
I have found the answer.
I continued to read his book, and he finally explained what he meant.
BEHIND Dr. Wingate’s house stretched a fragrant pine forest, …
BACK OF Dr. Wingate’s house stretched a fragrant pine forest, …
IN BACK OF Dr. Wingate’s house stretched a fragrant pine forest, …
The author calls No. 1 formal English; No. 2 is informal English; and No. 3 is childish English.
Nice to know that I write childish English!!!
James
If the original comment is talking about sentences like #2 (e.g. “Back of the house stretched a fragrant pine forest, …”) then I agree that it is not good usage. However, I don’t think #2 would even be used conversationally in BrE, and #3 sounds impossible to me, so my opinions on these may not be very relevant to AmE usage.
James M, I speak “childish English” as well! - #3 seems very natural to me.
Thank you, Dozy, for informing me that Brits would consider No. 3 “impossible”; thank you, Luschen, for making me feel better.
James
UPDATE:
I am now reading a grammar book published in the GREAT year of 1937 (it was great because that is when I was born!).
It says that “behind” is “preferable” to “in back of.” But at least it does not label “in back of” as “childish”!
James
I would have thought that both of these were wrong but if two native speakers say that they are “good” or even “acceptable” grammar, then I can’t argue with that! 
Isn’t #3 in need of a definite article before the word “back”? Perhaps that would make it more acceptable in British English?
Thank you.
“In the back of Dr. Wingate’s house stretched a fragrant pine forest” is grammatically correct but nonsensical: it means the forest is growing inside the house. “At the back of Dr. Wingate’s house stretched a fragrant pine forest” is better, but for me there is still a slight awkardness about the combination “at” and “stretched”. Normally (in BrE) one would say “Behind Dr. Wingate’s house…”.
I agree with Dozy - For me, “In the back of my house” implies a back room or back porch, while “In back of my house” is the backyard or whatever else is back there.
Ha ha, thank you Dozy – that’s good to know! I wouldn’t want to risk going around telling people that I grow a forest inside my house!
That was the next thing I was going to ask – thanks again.
Edit: Thank you, Luschen, as well.