apartment on fire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "apartment on fire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are describing a situation involving a fire in an apartment building or unit. Example: "When the firefighters arrived, they found the apartment on fire and quickly began to extinguish the flames."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Her killer, James E. Cooke Jr., then set the apartment on fire to cover the crime.

The New York Times

Experts said any apartment on fire should be vacated, with the door closed but not locked.

The New York Times

Mr. Chander said he grew angry, pulled out his lighter and set the apartment on fire, Mr. Milan added.

The New York Times

"They set an apartment on fire, and if we come to try to put it out they hit us with artillery or mortars".

The New Yorker

Officers were given the address of the shooting and arrived to find Mr. Taylor's fifth-floor apartment on fire, the Wilkinsburg police chief, Gerald Brewer, said.

The New York Times

He fatally shot two women and a man inside the apartment, set the apartment on fire and then killed himself, the police said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Firefighters set apartments on fire, then put them out.

The New York Times

The reason, the person said, was the personal strain caused by the public disclosure that Mr. Gottlieb, 70, had been charged decades ago with second-degree arson, a felony; he was accused of drenching his Queens apartment in gasoline and setting it on fire.

The New York Times

Her friend woke her up, screaming that the apartment was on fire.

The New York Times

"Recently, a woman ran into the street screaming that her apartment was on fire," he said.

The New York Times

"When we came up, the entire apartment was on fire," said Ghazi Bokhiri, the owner of the building.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on incidents, use precise language to describe the location and extent of the fire. For example, specify if it's a single unit or the entire building, and any related casualties or damages.

Common error

While it's important to convey the severity of the situation, avoid using overly dramatic language or exaggerations that might cause unnecessary alarm or spread misinformation.

Linguistic Context

Descriptive phrase used as a noun phrase. The phrase "apartment on fire" functions to describe a state or condition of a residential unit. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

5%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "apartment on fire" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a situation where a residential apartment is experiencing a fire. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to report and inform about emergency situations. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to avoid sensationalizing when reporting on such events. Alternatives like "apartment ablaze" or "flat on fire" can be used for variety, but the core meaning remains consistent. When writing, ensure you're precise in describing the fire's location and extent, and avoid language that may cause unnecessary alarm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apartment ablaze

Replaces "on fire" with a more vivid adjective, "ablaze".

flat on fire

Uses "flat" as a synonym for "apartment", more common in British English.

apartment burning

Replaces "on fire" with the continuous verb form "burning".

apartment in flames

Uses a more dramatic and visual expression, emphasizing the presence of flames.

apartment is burning down

Adds the sense of the apartment being destroyed by the fire.

condo on fire

Substitutes "apartment" with "condo", another type of residential unit.

apartment has caught fire

Emphasizes the start of the fire.

apartment gutted by fire

Highlights the extensive damage caused by the fire.

apartment building on fire

Specifies that the whole building, not just one unit, is affected.

residential unit on fire

Uses a more general term to describe the location of the fire.

FAQs

What does it mean when we say an apartment is on fire?

When an "apartment on fire" is mentioned, it means that there is an uncontrolled fire incident occurring within a residential apartment unit, causing damage and posing potential risks to occupants and surrounding areas.

What can I say instead of "apartment on fire"?

You can use alternatives like "apartment ablaze", "flat on fire", or "apartment in flames" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "apartment was on fire"?

Yes, "apartment was on fire" is grammatically correct. It's used to describe a past event where an apartment caught fire.

How does using "apartment burning" change the meaning of "apartment on fire"?

While both phrases are similar, "apartment burning" /s/apartment+burning emphasizes the ongoing action of the fire, whereas "apartment on fire" simply states the condition of the apartment.