apartment building

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "apartment building" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a residential structure that contains multiple individual apartments. Example: "She lives in a large apartment building in the city center."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And my apartment building, too.

The New York Times

Apartment building increased 25.1 percent.

The New York Times

Maybe even in their own apartment building.

The New Yorker

(Also, an apartment building called the Oakwood.

The New Yorker

An apartment building now occupies the site.

The New York Times

faculty apartment building on Bleecker Street.

The New Yorker

Protesters appeared outside the Bernstein apartment building.

The New Yorker

Shot while going into his apartment building.

The New York Times

An abject postwar apartment building.

The New Yorker

One group took over and apartment building.

The New York Times

An apartment building here, a brownstone there.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "apartment building" in contexts where a neutral and straightforward description of a residential structure is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "apartment building" interchangeably with terms like "condominium" or "co-op" without clarifying the ownership structure. An apartment building implies rental units, while condominiums and co-ops involve ownership.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "apartment building" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving as the subject or object in a sentence. It identifies a specific type of residential structure designed to house multiple separate living units. Ludwig AI supports the common usage of this phrase across numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

9%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Huffington Post

1%

Geothermal Energy

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "apartment building" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a residential building containing multiple apartments. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use, particularly in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "residential complex" or "block of flats" exist, "apartment building" provides a neutral and straightforward way to refer to this type of structure. When writing about "apartment buildings", specify the ownership structure and particular traits of the building. Avoid confusing it with similar terms, such as "condominium".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

residential complex

Focuses on the complex nature of the building with multiple units.

multi-unit dwelling

Highlights the presence of multiple dwellings within a single structure.

block of flats

A common British English term for an apartment building.

housing complex

Emphasizes the planned and often managed nature of the building.

residential tower

Highlights the height and verticality of the apartment building.

tenement building

Refers to a low-income apartment building, often older and less well-maintained.

condominium complex

Specifies that the units within the building are individually owned.

high-rise apartment

Focuses on the tall nature of the building.

cooperative building

Highlights the cooperative ownership structure of the apartment building.

dwelling house

More formal, generic term.

FAQs

How can I use "apartment building" in a sentence?

You can use "apartment building" in a sentence like: "She lives in a large "apartment building" downtown." or "The new "apartment building" offers several amenities such as a gym and a swimming pool."

What is the difference between an "apartment building" and a condominium?

An "apartment building" typically refers to a building where the units are rented. A condominium is a building where the individual units are owned separately, while the common areas are jointly owned.

What can I say instead of "apartment building"?

You can use alternatives like "residential complex", "multi-unit dwelling", or "block of flats" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "apartment building complex"?

While technically not redundant, "apartment building complex" can sound repetitive. It's generally better to use either ""apartment building"" or "residential complex" for clarity and conciseness.