building took shape

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "building took shape" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the process of a structure or concept becoming more defined or recognizable over time. Example: "As the construction progressed, the building took shape, revealing its modern design."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

John Reburn, whose gift shop is next to the new museum, said sentiment softened this summer as the building took shape.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Young Vic productions are currently 'dispersed' throughout London as a new building takes shape.

The Guardian

We survey the houses where carpenters are hammering new raw shingles to replace the rotted wood, or watch as a new building takes shape.

The New York Times - Travel

Then she spent the spring watching the building take shape just a block away from her crowded apartment, agonizing the whole time over her chances of acceptance.

The New York Times

In the 1980's, residential buildings took shape along Third Avenue north of 86th Street, then the boundary of the Upper East Side.

The New York Times

'A way of getting things done' … New buildings take shape at West Hendon, alongside old ones that will eventually be demolished.

The Guardian - Arts

"In the buildings taking shape just across the street, we can see a future with hundreds more Yale undergraduates each year — students who will be innovators, citizens, leaders," Salovey said.

Yale University

There is evidence of a few new buildings taking shape but it's hardly a construction- renzy.

BBC

Earlier in the evening, before the main back-building complex took shape, Ellicott City was over-swept by three separate convective cells, moving rapidly from the south.

The Washington Post

I've sat in tombs, laid in them, dreamed in them, and tried to grasp the sort of mindset – whether individual or collective – that's implied by buildings that took shape over thousands of years, and were built by people with life-spans far shorter than our own.

The Guardian - Books

The township's plan to revitalize Pennsauken's Delaware River waterfront, occupied mainly by aging and abandoned industrial buildings on weedy, polluted expanses, took shape during the state's early wave of urban redevelopment in the late 1990's.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "building took shape" to describe the gradual process of a structure becoming more defined during its construction or development phase. It implies a sense of progress and realization of a design.

Common error

Avoid using "building took shape" when describing abstract concepts or ideas. This phrase is best suited for physical structures or concrete projects under development. For abstract concepts, consider alternatives like "the plan materialized" or "the idea solidified".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "building took shape" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating the evolution and development of a physical structure. As Ludwig suggests, it's a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the process of construction. Many examples detail new buildings coming into existence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "building took shape" is a grammatically correct and common expression used to describe the development of a physical structure, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Academia. The phrase conveys the gradual formation and progress of a building, emphasizing its evolution from a conceptual or initial stage to a more defined state. While frequently used, it's important to reserve this expression for concrete, physical structures rather than abstract concepts. Alternatives such as "the "building was formed"" or "structure emerged" can be used to provide slightly different nuances or avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

building was formed

Focuses on the shape and structure development.

structure developed

Emphasizes the growth and progress of the structure.

structure emerged

Highlights the gradual appearance of the structure.

building materialized

Emphasizes the sudden appearance of the building.

building was erected

Focuses on the construction aspect of the building.

building was constructed

Highlights the process of putting the building together.

building came into being

Stresses the building's creation or inception.

construction progressed

Shifts the focus to the advancement of the building's construction.

the edifice arose

Uses more formal language to describe the building's appearance.

development unfolded

Focuses on the step-by-step reveal of the building or project.

FAQs

What does "building took shape" mean?

The phrase "building took shape" means a structure is gradually becoming more defined and recognizable, typically during the construction process. It suggests progress from an initial stage towards a more complete form.

What can I say instead of "building took shape"?

You can use alternatives like "the "building was formed"", "structure emerged", or "construction progressed depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the building takes shape"?

Yes, "the building takes shape" is grammatically correct. It describes an ongoing process of development and is often used in present tense to convey a sense of current progress.

What is the difference between "the building took shape" and "the plan took shape"?

"The building took shape" refers specifically to a physical structure becoming more defined. "The plan took shape" refers to an idea or strategy becoming more organized and detailed. The key difference is the tangible vs. intangible subject.