communal dwelling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "communal dwelling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a living arrangement where multiple individuals or families share a living space or community resources. Example: "The new housing project aims to create a communal dwelling that fosters a sense of community among its residents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Visit to the Oneida Community Mansion, in Kenwood, built over sixty-five yeago ago by American communists as a communal dwelling, founded by John Humphrey Noyes, Tells how the community originated and the tenets the founders held and practised.

The New Yorker

Several communal dwelling complexes were built, in which residents ate together.

The Guardian

REPORTER AT LARGE to the Oneida Community Mansion, Kenwood, N.Y., built over 65 years ago by American Communists as a communal dwelling, founded by John Humphrey Noyes.

The New Yorker

Visit to the Oneida Community Mansion, in Kenwood, built over sixty-five yeago ago by American communists as a communal dwelling, founded by….

The New Yorker

In the great cities of the Roman Empire, because of urban congestion, the individual house, or domus, had given way in early imperial times to the communal dwelling, or insula, except for the residences of the very wealthy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By Carl Carmer The New Yorker, March 28 , 1936P. 36 REPORTER AT LARGE to the Oneida Community Mansion, Kenwood, N.Y., built over 65 years ago by American Communists as a communal dwelling, founded by John Humphrey Noyes.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

They lived in pueblos, multilevel communal dwellings constructed of sandstone, mud, and stones.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They're also communal dwellings, open to the public between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The New York Times - Travel

They live in small villages; traditional housing consisted of communal dwellings, although single-family thatched dwellings are now more common.

Encyclopedia Britannica

All, however, built huge longhouses in the west these were communal dwellings, in the east they were reserved for men.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Thus, the valley people built large earth-covered communal dwellings, whereas the foothill dwellers and mountaineers made more-fragile brush or bark lean-tos.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing historical or traditional living arrangements, "communal dwelling" accurately conveys the shared nature of the residence. For contemporary contexts, consider more modern alternatives like "co-housing" or "shared living space".

Common error

While grammatically sound, using "communal dwelling" in modern contexts might sound archaic. Opt for phrases like "co-living" or "shared apartment" to resonate better with contemporary audiences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "communal dwelling" functions primarily as a noun phrase, describing a type of residence. As shown in Ludwig, it's used to identify a shared living space, often emphasizing historical or traditional contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "communal dwelling" accurately describes a shared living space, often in historical or traditional contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and understandable. While acceptable, consider alternatives like "shared residence" or "co-housing community" for modern settings. Found across News & Media and Encyclopedias, this phrase serves to classify and describe residences emphasizing shared resources. Remember to tailor your word choice to best suit the context and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

communal residence

Interchanges dwelling and residence.

shared residence

Replaces dwelling with residence, emphasizing the shared aspect.

collective housing

Emphasizes the group aspect of the housing arrangement.

co-housing community

Highlights the community aspect with shared facilities.

community living arrangement

Highlights the community aspect and emphasizes the arrangement.

group living arrangement

A more general term for shared living spaces.

shared living space

Directly describes the shared nature of the living area.

cooperative dwelling

Highlights the cooperative nature of the housing.

shared accommodation

Replaces 'dwelling' with 'accommodation', implying a place to stay.

joint habitation

A more formal way of describing shared living.

FAQs

What does "communal dwelling" mean?

A "communal dwelling" refers to a residence where multiple individuals or families live together, sharing common spaces and resources.

What's a more modern alternative to "communal dwelling"?

Alternatives include phrases like "shared residence", "co-housing community", or "shared living space".

How can I use "communal dwelling" in a sentence?

Example: "The Oneida Community Mansion was built as a "communal dwelling" for American communists."

Is "communal dwelling" the same as "commune"?

While related, a "communal dwelling" specifically refers to the physical structure, whereas a "commune" describes the social organization and principles of a group living together.