in an elevator

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'in an elevator' is correct and usable in written English.
An example sentence might be: "I felt uneasy when I was in an elevator with several strangers".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Stuck in an elevator?

The New York Times

Because I'm getting in an elevator".

The New York Times

You're going to get in an elevator?

The New Yorker

I wouldn't know her in an elevator.

The New York Times

"I met him in an elevator," the President recalled.

The New Yorker

In this commercial, passengers in an elevator are frightened.

The New York Times

I was even in an elevator with Graydon Carter once.

The New York Times

Two people trapped in an elevator were killed.

The New York Times

The two were in an elevator, she claimed.

The Guardian

"You rode up and down in an elevator".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He called it "a slightly expanded version of a stuck-in-an-elevator story".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an action or event that occurs while someone is "in an elevator", ensure the context is clear. Specify if the elevator is moving, stationary, crowded, etc.

Common error

Avoid using alternative prepositions such as "on" or "at" when the context requires "in". "In" accurately describes being enclosed within the elevator space.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in an elevator" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb to indicate location. As Ludwig AI explains, this is a common and grammatically correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in an elevator" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to specify a location. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly acceptable for use in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to set the scene for events, conversations, or situations occurring inside an elevator. Remember to use "an" before "elevator" due to the vowel sound. While alternatives like "within a lift" exist, the core meaning remains consistent. When writing, ensure the context is clear regarding the elevator's state (moving, stationary, etc.) to provide a vivid picture to the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within a lift

Replaces "elevator" with its British English equivalent "lift".

inside an elevator car

Specifies the location more precisely.

in a lift

Replaces "elevator" with "lift" and "an" with "a", using British English.

riding in an elevator

Adds the action of riding to the phrase.

while in an elevator

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of being in an elevator.

situated in an elevator

Uses a more formal tone to indicate location.

confined to an elevator

Highlights a sense of restriction or being stuck.

within the elevator

Uses definite article instead of indefinite.

during an elevator ride

Shifts focus to the ride itself.

aboard an elevator

Uses a less common preposition to indicate being on the elevator.

FAQs

How can I use "in an elevator" in a sentence?

You can use "in an elevator" to describe actions, conversations, or situations that occur while someone is inside an elevator. For example, "I met him "in an elevator" at the MetLife building."

What are some alternatives to saying "in an elevator"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "within a lift", "inside an elevator car", or "riding in an elevator".

Is it grammatically correct to say "in a elevator" instead of "in an elevator"?

No, it is not grammatically correct. The correct usage is "in an elevator" because "elevator" starts with a vowel sound, requiring the use of the indefinite article "an".

How does the context change when using "in an elevator" versus "during an elevator ride"?

While both phrases refer to being inside an elevator, "in an elevator" focuses on the location itself, while "during an elevator ride" emphasizes the time spent traveling in the elevator.