a plain building

USAGE SUMMARY

"a plain building" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a building that is simple in design, lacking elaborate features or decorations. For example, "The town hall was just a plain building, without any ornate architecture." Alternative expressions include "a simple structure" and "an unadorned building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

At the command center, coordinating dozens of agencies and exile groups, will be the county emergency management office, housed in a plain building on the north side of Miami.

The New York Times

In recent years, rents here have gone from about $500 for a 250-square-foot studio apartment to $1,200 for that same studio, in a plain building with no amenities.

The New York Times

Next to the police station is a check cashing business and farther down the street is city hall — a plain building that used to be a grocery store, Birk said.

Los Angeles Times

Following an interim period when a "plain building" was used for worship, the present church building was built and consecrated by the Bishop of Manchester on 21 August 1869.

Wikipedia

Yes, this public art could be called "obvious" as well, but the choice to put the cameras on the plain wall of a plain building on a side street makes this work more interesting than when Banksy put a truck full of "screaming" stuffed farm animals in the Meatpacking District.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Morya's memorial temple is a low plain building (30' x 20' x 40') with a square hall or mandap and an octagonal inner shrine, inscribed with a Marathi inscription: "This temple was begun on the bright twelfth of Kartik (November December) Shaka 1580 (A.D. 1658-9) Vilambi Samvatsara and finished on Monday the bright fourth of Ashadha, Vikari Samvatsara".

Wikipedia

It is a small plain building built in sandstone with a bell turret.

Wikipedia

One Sunday afternoon at the garden adjacent to Venice High School, a dozen or so people filed into a small, plain building, one by one, to get three or four tiny envelopes, each holding a few seeds.

Los Angeles Times

It was a large, plain building that could accommodate up to 500 people.

Wikipedia

Inside an otherwise plain building that was once a pensioners' boarding house is the work of one of Philippe Starck's former associates, Matali Crasset.

The New York Times - Travel

The whole day I remember there being a concentration on one, plain building.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In descriptive writing, follow this phrase with specific materials like 'brick' or 'concrete' to ground the simplicity in physical reality.

Common error

Writers often add 'simple' or 'ordinary' before this phrase, but "a plain building" already carries those connotations. Avoid saying 'a simple plain building' unless you are specifically distinguishing between design complexity and visual ornament.

Linguistic Context

In linguistic terms, "a plain building" serves as a noun phrase acting as a descriptive object or subject. According to Ludwig, it is frequently used to provide a visual baseline in narrative settings, allowing the reader to visualize a structure that does not draw attention to itself.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a plain building" is a versatile and correct noun phrase used to denote a structure lacking decoration or distinctive features. Analysis by Ludwig AI shows that it is a staple in journalism and literature for creating a neutral or utilitarian atmosphere. It is most effective when used to contrast with more ornate surroundings or to highlight a 'hidden gem' located inside an unremarkable exterior. While common in News & Media, it retains a high level of authority and can be used in almost any writing register without appearing out of place.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unadorned structure

uses more formal vocabulary to emphasize the lack of decoration

a non-descript edifice

highlights that the building lacks distinctive features or character

a featureless building

emphasizes a total lack of identifying or interesting visual elements

a simple construction

focuses on the straightforward nature of the build rather than just the appearance

an ordinary building

implies it blends in with common surroundings and is not unique

a basic structure

suggests a lack of complexity or additional features

a minimalist building

implies an intentional design choice rather than just a lack of ornament

a modest structure

adds a connotation of humility or small scale

a utilitarian facility

suggests the building was designed purely for function rather than form

a stark building

suggests a sharpness or severe lack of decoration that might feel cold

FAQs

How do I use "a plain building" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an unornamented structure, such as: "The headquarters was housed in "a plain building" on the outskirts of town."

What is a more formal alternative to "a plain building"?

A more formal way to express this is "an unadorned structure" or "a non-descript edifice".

Is "a plain building" considered derogatory?

Not necessarily; it is usually a neutral observation of aesthetics. However, if you want to imply it is ugly, you might use "a drab building" instead.

What's the difference between "a plain building" and a simple one?

"a plain building" refers specifically to its lack of decoration or ornament, while "a simple building" might refer to its easy-to-understand layout or architecture.