approached the building

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approached the building" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the action of moving closer to a building, often in a narrative or descriptive context. Example: "As the sun began to set, she approached the building, her heart racing with anticipation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

We approached the building.

The New Yorker

He burst into tears as he approached the building.

The New York Times

As I approached the building, I was struck by a gleaming, white stretch limo.

The Guardian - Music

When BBC journalists approached the building they were briefly detained and forced to relinquish their footage.

Independent

Tentatively, men lying on their stomachs or crouched in doorways approached the building.

The New York Times

As officers first approached the building, at least six small explosions were heard.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Water was approaching the building's steps, and the doctors and staff members were evacuating.

The New Yorker

Shortly afterward, she spotted her husband and son approaching the building on foot.

The New Yorker

The video footage shows three men approaching the building in Paringdon Road at 1.24am.

Independent

It soon becomes clear that the three representatives have no intention of approaching the building.

The New York Times

The animals started getting out of the water and approaching the building every time there was movement inside.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing movement toward a specific location, consider the context. Use "approached the building" to create a sense of anticipation, observation, or a direct course of action. It provides a clear and concise way to indicate movement toward a structure.

Common error

Avoid using passive constructions like "The building was approached by..." as they can weaken the sentence and obscure who is performing the action. Instead, opt for the active voice: "They approached the building."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approached the building" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of moving closer to a building. It describes a physical action and is often used to set a scene or introduce a character's movement, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "approached the building" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that describes the action of moving closer to a building. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, this phrase serves to describe physical actions and provide context, maintaining a neutral register. Alternative phrases like "neared the building" and "moved towards the building" can be used for variety. Avoiding passive voice constructions can improve clarity and impact when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neared the building

Uses a synonym of "approached" to convey the same meaning of getting closer.

got closer to the building

Simple and direct way of saying approached.

moved towards the building

Emphasizes the direction of movement toward the building.

came closer to the building

Highlights the gradual reduction of distance to the building.

advanced toward the building

Suggests a more deliberate and perhaps cautious movement.

drew near the building

A slightly more literary way of saying approached.

reached the vicinity of the building

Focuses on arriving in the general area of the building, instead of immediately in front of it.

closed in on the building

Implies a strategic or tactical approach to the building.

made their way to the building

Emphasizes the process of traveling to the building.

headed in the direction of the building

Highlights the intended path toward the building.

FAQs

What does "approached the building" mean?

The phrase "approached the building" means someone or something moved closer to a building. It describes the act of nearing or drawing closer to a structure.

What can I say instead of "approached the building"?

You can use alternatives like "neared the building", "moved towards the building", or "came closer to the building" depending on the context.

Is "approached to the building" grammatically correct?

No, the correct phrasing is "approached the building". The preposition "to" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect in this context.

How can I use "approached the building" in a sentence?

You can use "approached the building" to describe someone's physical movement towards a building. For example, "As she "approached the building", she noticed the door was ajar."