large building

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "large building" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a structure that is significantly bigger than average, often in contexts related to architecture, real estate, or urban planning. Example: "The city council approved the construction of a large building that will house offices and retail spaces."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"The building is privately owned; the owners can knock that down and build a very large building".

The New York Times

And, like any large building, it was a light hog.

The New York Times

He worked on large building projects in the provinces.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In a large building, sprinklers will save lives.

The New York Times - Magazine

"This is a very, very large building," Mr. Brown said.

The New York Times - Arts

Historically, pneumatic controls were used in most large building applications.

Air Conditioning System Design Manual

Westgate is a large building in Westlands, Nairobi's upscale commercial district and its expatriate social hub.

The New Yorker

Wind's effect on structural integrity, however, is always a concern for a large building.

The New York Times - Sports

Still, she is glad she went for a large building rather than a large apartment.

The New York Times

He has, in reality, two apartments at the top of a large building.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Consider George, a CEO of a large building-engineering firm in Silicon Valley.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "large building", consider specifying its purpose or function to provide more context (e.g., "large commercial building", "large residential building").

Common error

Avoid using "large building" as a standalone descriptor without providing additional details about its unique characteristics or architectural style. Instead, incorporate adjectives that highlight specific features, such as "modern", "historic", or "innovative".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "large building" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "large" modifies the noun "building". It describes a structure that is significantly above average in size. Ludwig shows that this phrase is commonly used to identify and categorize buildings based on their physical dimensions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Encyclopedias

13%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

11%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "large building" is a grammatically sound and frequently used descriptor for sizable structures across various domains. As noted by Ludwig, its primary function is to provide a general description of a building's size, and it appears most often in news articles, encyclopedic entries, and scientific publications. To enhance clarity, consider adding details about the building's specific function or architectural style. While the phrase is straightforward, remember to choose more descriptive alternatives when greater detail is required, such as specifying "huge structure" or "massive edifice".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

huge structure

Replaces "building" with "structure", emphasizing the size.

massive edifice

Substitutes both "large" and "building" with more formal synonyms.

substantial construction

Replaces "large" with "substantial" and "building" with "construction", focusing on the scale of the project.

extensive complex

Uses "extensive" to describe size and "complex" to indicate a multi-building structure.

giant skyscraper

Specifies the type of large building as a "skyscraper".

imposing structure

Focuses on the impressive or dominant nature of the "structure".

expansive facility

Describes a "facility" that is large in scale.

sprawling complex

Emphasizes the widespread layout of the "complex".

oversized construction

Highlights the unusually large size of the building or construction.

voluminous building

Emphasizes the building's large interior space or capacity.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to saying "large building"?

You can use alternatives like "huge structure", "massive edifice", or "substantial construction" depending on the context.

How can I describe the size of a building more precisely than just saying "large building"?

To be more precise, you could specify the building's dimensions (height, width, area), number of floors, or capacity. Using comparative adjectives (e.g., "larger than", "taller than") can also provide a clearer sense of scale.

Is it correct to say "a large building" or should I use another article?

Using "a large building" is grammatically correct when referring to a single, non-specific building. If you are referring to a specific building that has already been mentioned, use "the large building". If you are talking about large buildings in general, you can say "large buildings" (plural, no article).

What are some common types of "large buildings"?

Common types of "large buildings" include skyscrapers, shopping malls, warehouses, factories, hospitals, and apartment complexes. The specific type depends on the building's function and purpose.