a building which

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence 'a building which' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when introducing a building that has a specific quality or is used for a specific purpose. Example: The library is a building which provides a variety of books and resources for people in the community.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If your favourite band were a building, which building would it be?

Independent

"It's a building which represents a husband and wife's relationship — about to collapse," Terai explained.

The New York Times - Magazine

You walk around a building which is split up into different floors and different areas.

The Guardian - Arts

Here, Dimensions supports four men in a building which I had commissioned to their exact specifications.

The Guardian

Talk story about a building which can be constructed in 48 hours, consisting of a concrete shell.

The New Yorker

He is working on a plan for redeveloping a building which he says "is going to be real baroque".

The Economist

In Shaldon, south Devon, Broadreach is a building which has used wood to superb effect both inside and out.

Independent

The "unknown forces" ran into a building, which was surrounded by the troops who then called in an air strike.

The Guardian

There is also a mosque nearby, a building which has been used as an Islamic court and a public market.

The Guardian

"I wasn't prepared to risk firefighters' lives to extinguish a fire in a building which was pretty much lost anyway.

The Guardian - Arts

"Recipient governments sometimes just like to see a building, which is visible in a way that capacity building isn't".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a building which" when providing additional, non-essential information about the building. If the information is essential to identify the building, use "that" instead of "which".

Common error

Avoid using "which" when the clause is essential to the sentence's meaning. "That" is more appropriate in such cases. For example, instead of saying "The building which has a red door is the one we want", say "The building that has a red door is the one we want."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a building which" functions as a relative clause introducing additional information about a specific building. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. This construction allows writers to provide details or characteristics of a building without making the information essential for identifying it.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a building which" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce non-essential information about a building. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While frequently found in contexts like News & Media and Wiki, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various forms of writing. When deciding between "which" and "that", remember that "which" introduces additional, non-essential information, while "that" introduces information essential to identifying the building. Alternatives like "a structure that" or "a facility that" can add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a structure that

Uses "that" instead of "which" as a relative pronoun.

a facility that

Replaces "building" with "facility" offering a slightly different nuance.

a complex that

Substitutes "building" with "complex" for larger structures.

a property that

Uses "property" instead of "building", referring to real estate.

a construction that

Replaces "building" with "construction", focusing on the act of building.

a residence that

Uses "residence" instead of "building" focusing on living accommodations.

an edifice that

Replaces "building" with the more formal "edifice".

a house that

Substitutes "building" with "house", specifying a residential structure.

a place that

Replaces "building" with "place", generalizing the location.

a space that

Uses "space" instead of "building", focusing on interior area.

FAQs

When should I use "a building that" instead of "a building which"?

Use "a building that" when the information in the clause is essential to identifying the specific building. "A building that has solar panels is energy-efficient" implies only buildings with solar panels are being discussed.

Is it always wrong to use "a building which" in a restrictive clause?

While "that" is generally preferred for restrictive clauses, using "which" is not always grammatically incorrect, especially in British English. However, for clarity and modern American English usage, stick to "that".

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "a building which"?

Depending on the context, consider using phrases like "a structure that", "a facility that", or "a property that" to avoid repetition or add nuance.

How can I improve the flow of my sentences using "a building which"?

Ensure the "which" clause provides additional, non-essential information. If the information is crucial, restructure the sentence or use "that". For example, instead of "This is a building which is very old", consider "This very old building..."