in front of the building

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in front of the building" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a location that is directly before a building, often in relation to where someone is standing or an event is taking place. Example: "We will meet in front of the building at 3 PM."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Parking lot in front of the building.

The New York Times

The Water Taxi stops in front of the building.

The New York Times

The street light in front of the building flickered.

The New Yorker

There is no sign in front of the building.

The New York Times

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY: Ramp available in front of the building.

The New York Times

In front of the building, the sky was still blue.

The New Yorker

Horses graze in front of the building, and a volleyball court and educational center stand behind.

The New York Times

A trolley that runs through downtown stops in front of the building.

The New York Times

A young bride is captured in front of the building, tossing a bouquet into the air.

The New York Times - Arts

Hundreds of workers demonstrated in front of the building on Wednesday.

The New York Times

News media crews clogged the sidewalk in front of the building.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in front of the building", ensure that the context clearly indicates whether you mean directly in front or generally in the area facing the building. Be specific if the exact location is important.

Common error

Avoid using "in front of the building" when you actually mean 'inside the building near the front'. The preposition "in" can cause confusion. Use "near the entrance" or "in the lobby" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in front of the building" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by indicating location. Ludwig examples show its use in specifying where an event took place or where someone or something is situated relative to the building.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in front of the building" is a common prepositional phrase used to indicate a location directly before a building. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct and widely accepted. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, serving to specify where events occur in relation to buildings. Alternatives like "before the building" or "at the building's entrance" can offer subtle variations in meaning. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the exact location if needed, and avoid using it when you mean inside the building near the front.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before the building

Emphasizes the position preceding the building, slightly more formal.

at the building's entrance

Focuses specifically on the entry point of the building.

facing the building

Describes a position where one is oriented towards the building.

outside the building

Indicates a general location external to the building.

in the building's forecourt

Specifies a courtyard or open space located before the building.

in the vicinity of the building

Indicates a general area nearby.

on the building's facade

Focuses on something attached to or part of the front surface of the building.

at the foot of the building

Implies being located at the base or bottom edge of the building.

at the forefront of the building

More figurative, suggesting a prominent position nearest to the observer.

approaching the building

Describes movement toward the building's front.

FAQs

How can I use "in front of the building" in a sentence?

You can use "in front of the building" to describe a location that is directly before a building. For example, "The protesters gathered "in front of the building"."

What are some alternatives to "in front of the building"?

Some alternatives include "before the building", "outside the building", or "at the building's entrance" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "in the front of the building" instead of "in front of the building"?

While "in the front of the building" isn't grammatically incorrect, ""in front of the building"" is the more common and natural-sounding phrase.

What's the difference between "in front of the building" and "opposite the building"?

"In front of the building" means directly before the building, while "opposite the building" means on the other side of something (like a street) facing the building.