houses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "houses" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to multiple buildings designed for people to live in or as a metaphor for various contexts, such as organizations or groups. Example: "The neighborhood is known for its beautiful houses, each with unique architectural styles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In Cappadocia, the thrill of hurtling along a trail on two wheels is amplified by its otherworldly landscape of rock pillars, known as "fairy chimneys", many reaching more than 40 metres high, as well as its cave houses and ancient Byzantine churches.

The Guardian - Travel

A third driver was racism in the housing market: many new migrants in the 1950s to 1970s faced appalling discrimination with "No blacks, no Irish, no dogs" signs common in the windows of lodging houses.

The Guardian

Houses still sit empty, and there are calls for the government and Rio Tinto to make the dwellings available for public housing.

The Guardian

"It's very difficult to explain to people – particularly my Yolgnu constituents – who come to me about public housing and say why can't I have one of these empty houses?" says Walker.

The Guardian

Last year the NT government struck a deal with Rio Tinto to make 250 empty houses available to support new and existing businesses as part of a new, co-funded economic development entity, but not for public housing.

The Guardian

In the following year the town's population of about 4,000 dropped by nearly half, and as businesses and supermarkets closed, Qantas cut its services, and houses were left empty, the exodus began to take a toll on the mental health of those who stayed behind.

The Guardian

He steals from the houses he breaks into, but appears to take items, such as ornaments or jewellery, as 'mementos' rather than straightforward burglary.

The Guardian

But remember, if you're looking at six or eight bedroom houses you'll need to start looking early to make sure you don't end up miles away from civilisation.

The Guardian

It was confirmed that the prison's inventory of tools was intact and the focus was on outside contractors doing refurbishment work at the prison, which houses 3,000 inmates in the village of Dannemora, and was built in 1865.

The Guardian

Following an earthquake in 2005, the houses were rebuilt with cement and air-conditioning.

The Guardian

According to the piece, papers were often read aloud in rural houses in Ireland to family groups, usually by priests or schoolteachers, thus enabling "the illiterate to keep abreast of current affairs".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "houses", consider the specific context and choose the most descriptive and accurate term. For instance, use "family homes" when emphasizing the family aspect or "housing units" in a statistical context.

Common error

Avoid using "houses" when a more specific term like "apartments", "villas", or "cottages" would provide a clearer picture to the reader. Vague descriptions weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "houses" is as a plural noun, referring to multiple buildings used as dwellings. It can also function as the third-person singular present tense form of the verb "house". Ludwig AI confirms its versatile usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "houses" is a versatile and frequently used plural noun referring to multiple dwellings. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and adaptable to various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, "houses" serves to describe physical structures, convey information about real estate, or discuss living conditions. Related phrases such as "residential buildings" and "family homes" offer alternative ways to express similar concepts. To ensure clarity, avoid overgeneralization and choose specific terms when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

residential buildings

Focuses on the function and type of the buildings.

residences

A more formal and general term for places of dwelling.

family homes

Emphasizes the purpose and inhabitants of the houses.

private homes

Highlights the private nature of the dwellings.

domestic dwellings

A more formal way of referring to places where people live.

housing units

Highlights the dwellings as part of a larger set.

places of residence

A formal phrase that emphasizes the act of living somewhere.

living quarters

Focuses on the space where someone lives, can include apartments and barracks.

buildings

Referring to "houses" as structures.

structures

Referring to "houses" as built entities.

FAQs

What is the difference between "houses" and "homes"?

"Houses" refers to the physical structures, while "homes" carries a connotation of warmth, family, and personal connection. For example, you might say "the real estate market is booming with new houses", but "we are building homes for the future".

What are some alternatives to the word "houses"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "residences", "dwellings", "properties", or "buildings".

How can I use "houses" in a sentence?

You can use "houses" in sentences like "The prices of houses are increasing", "Many houses were damaged in the storm", or "The city is building more affordable houses".

Is it correct to say "house's" or should I always use "houses"?

"House's" is the singular possessive form, indicating something belonging to a single house (e.g., "the house's roof"). "Houses" is the plural form, referring to multiple houses. Choose the form that matches the intended meaning.