colossal building

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "colossal building" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very large or impressive structure, often in architectural or descriptive contexts. Example: "The city is known for its colossal building that towers over the skyline, attracting tourists from around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Dresden seems to have missed out; its main station resembles nothing so much as a colossal building site.

The Guardian

If you want to talk about bigger is better, or biggest is best, this is a truly colossal building, as any of you who have been there know.

Yale University

Dating from 1502, the castle is a colossal building, comprising more than 20 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, nine kitchens and 14 acres of gardens.

The Guardian - Money

With its breathtaking sky bridges, huge car parking system and multi-level shopping areas, the King Abdullah Financial District Metro Station above-ground entrance will be a colossal building built in the futuristic, gently curving, glass-dominated design for which Hadid has become famous.

Independent

Anyone searching for what Christopher Isherwood called "the flash of that hysteria which flickers always in Berlin" need look no further than the new federal Chancellery, a colossal building now near completion that sits on the banks of the Spree like a marooned ocean liner.

The New York Times

The firm, a massive construction and masonry firm based in Connecticut is best known for re-facing colossal building projects, like Yale University.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The Hellenistic Age produced more elaborate and richly decorated architecture, with often colossal buildings.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Such colossal buildings seem to crush the human spirit, and do so knowingly.

The Guardian - Arts

On the terrace are the ruins of a number of colossal buildings, all constructed of a dark gray stone (often polished to a marble-like surface) from the adjacent mountain.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was only a hotel, a 22-story dwarf tucked under colossal buildings, but in its final 102 minutes, the Marriott Hotel at 3 World Trade Center served as the mouth of a tunnel, a runway in and out of the burning towers for perhaps a thousand people or more.

The New York Times

Think of the Egyptian pyramids, St Peter's Basilica or the Taj Mahal: all colossal buildings that put us a little bit closer to the heavens.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a building as a "colossal building", provide context that emphasizes its impressive size, such as comparisons to familiar landmarks or quantifiable dimensions.

Common error

Avoid using "colossal building" as a generic descriptor for any large building. Reserve it for structures that truly stand out in terms of size, scale, or impact. Overuse diminishes the word's impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "colossal building" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase. It combines the adjective "colossal", which modifies the noun "building", emphasizing the structure's immense size. Ludwig examples showcase usage in describing various structures from train stations to castles.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

15%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "colossal building" is used to describe structures of exceptionally large size and scale. As noted by Ludwig, it functions as a descriptive noun phrase. Its grammatical correctness is affirmed by Ludwig AI, which also highlights its use in diverse contexts, from news reports to academic articles. The phrase's formality is generally neutral to formal, making it suitable for a wide range of writing. Remember to reserve "colossal building" for structures that truly warrant the description due to their immense size and avoid overuse to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mammoth building

Replaces "colossal" with "mammoth", emphasizing immense size.

gigantic building

Substitutes "colossal" with "gigantic", stressing extraordinary size.

immense building

Uses "immense" instead of "colossal", highlighting vastness.

huge building

Replaces "colossal" with "huge", a more common and general term for large size.

massive building

Substitutes "colossal" with "massive", indicating great size and solidity.

enormous building

Uses "enormous" instead of "colossal", suggesting an extraordinary size that is beyond the norm.

monumental building

Replaces "colossal" with "monumental", emphasizing historical or cultural significance alongside size.

vast building

Substitutes "colossal" with "vast", highlighting the building's extensive dimensions and scope.

great building

Uses "great" instead of "colossal", referring more to its importance and impressiveness than just its size.

substantial building

Replaces "colossal" with "substantial", focusing on the building's solid construction and considerable size.

FAQs

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

You can use "colossal building" to describe a structure of immense size and scale, such as, "The city's new skyscraper is a "colossal building" that dominates the skyline."

What are some alternatives to "colossal building"?

You can use alternatives like "gigantic building", "mammoth building", or "monumental building" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "colossal building" or "large building"?

"Colossal building" implies a size significantly greater than "large building". Use ""colossal building"" when you want to emphasize the extreme size and impressiveness of the structure.

What makes a building qualify as a "colossal building"?

A ""colossal building"" is not just large, but exceptionally so, possessing dimensions that inspire awe or are notable for their sheer scale. It suggests something much larger than average for its type and context.