in the building

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'in the building' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe where someone or something is located. For example: "The meeting attendees were all gathered in the building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Shots in the building.

The New York Times

Plebs in the building?

The Economist

"Daddy was in the building.

The New York Times

"Not in the building profession".

The New York Times

That's expressed in the building".

The New York Times

Recycling is mandatory in the building.

The New Yorker

The energy in the building is great.

The New York Times - Sports

"He could smell animals in the building".

The New York Times

"There was an electricity in the building".

The New York Times

Cracks had appeared in the building.

The New York Times

"There's abject squalor in the building.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the building" to indicate a physical presence or activity within a specific structure. Be mindful of the context, as it can range from formal reports to casual conversation.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "in the building" in formal documents. Opt for more precise and descriptive alternatives such as "within the premises" or "located inside" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the building" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating location or presence. It specifies where someone or something is situated, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Science

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the building" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that someone or something is located inside a structure. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across diverse contexts, although more formal settings may benefit from alternatives like "within the premises" or "located inside". Its frequency is high in news and media, reflecting its broad applicability. While generally neutral in register, mindful consideration of context is important. It's a straightforward and readily understood expression for spatial presence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

located inside

More direct and emphasizes the location within the building.

in the interior

Focuses specifically on the inner space of the building.

inside the premises

More formal and emphasizes the legal or official aspect of being within the property.

on the premises

Similar to "inside the premises" but slightly broader, encompassing the entire property.

within the structure

More technical and emphasizes the physical aspect of being within the building.

present in the structure

More formal and emphasizes the presence of someone or something within the building.

within the walls

More evocative and emphasizes the enclosed nature of being inside.

at the location

More general and emphasizes the specific place.

under the roof

More figurative, emphasizing the protection offered by being inside the building.

within the confines

Highlights the restrictive nature of being inside the structure.

FAQs

What does "in the building" mean?

The phrase "in the building" indicates that someone or something is physically located inside a specific structure.

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

You can use "in the building" to specify a location. For example: "The meeting is "located in the building"" or "Is everyone "already in the building"?".

What are some alternatives to "in the building"?

Some alternatives include "on the premises", "within the structure", or "inside the premises". The best choice depends on the context and level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "in the building"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. However, the appropriateness of the phrase depends on the context. More formal situations may warrant more precise language.