looking at the building

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking at the building" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the action of observing or examining a building. Example: "While walking through the city, I found myself looking at the building, admiring its unique architecture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Mr. Morgan stopped, looking at the building.

The New York Times

"We admired it in 1980 when we were looking at the building," he said.

The New York Times

By looking at the building, they might also be able to guess a typical person's height.

The New York Times

When looking at the building plans, she hadn't realized that the first two floors were below grade.

The New York Times

As Paula was looking at the building directory for the room number, Ed heard the sound of weeping.

The New Yorker

Yet looking at the building behind him, burnt out by riots that followed Mr Gray's funeral, he adds, "and look at this store!

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

They seemed to be looking at the buildings, driver included.

The New York Times

I went outside, and I stood in the Trinity Church yard looking at the buildings.

The New York Times

"There has been a definite increase in traffic the last several months, clientele looking at the buildings," Mr. Ramat said.

The New York Times

Simply looking at the buildings' exterior façades causes Khan to become nauseated and, in the Ottawan winter, flushed with upset.

The New Yorker

Once you start looking at the buildings and bushes you're blasting by, it's not quite as pretty.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing architectural observations, use "looking at the building" to introduce initial impressions before delving into specific details. For example, "Looking at the building, its imposing facade immediately caught my eye."

Common error

Avoid using "looking at the building" as a standalone description without further elaboration. Follow it up with specific observations about architectural style, materials, or unique features to provide richer detail.

Linguistic Context

"Looking at the building" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It describes the act of observing a building. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various narrative and descriptive contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looking at the building" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes the act of observing a building. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English. It is versatile, fitting into both formal and informal scenarios. The most common contexts for this phrase are within News & Media, Science, and Academia. When using this phrase, ensure to provide specific details following the initial observation to enhance the description and avoid generic statements. While the phrase is common, alternatives such as "observing the structure" or "examining the edifice" can add nuance and formality as needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

observing the structure

Replaces "looking" with "observing" and "building" with "structure", emphasizing a more formal observation.

examining the edifice

Uses more formal synonyms for both "looking" (examining) and "building" (edifice).

inspecting the construction

Substitutes "looking" with "inspecting" and "building" with "construction", suggesting a detailed assessment.

viewing the property

Replaces "building" with "property", shifting the focus to ownership or real estate.

studying the architecture

Focuses specifically on the architectural aspects of the building.

assessing the facade

Concentrates on evaluating the front or exterior of the building.

analyzing the design

Shifts the emphasis to a detailed analysis of the building's design elements.

scrutinizing the exterior

Implies a very careful and critical observation of the building's outside appearance.

glancing at the building

Implies a quick look without detailed analysis.

surveying the premises

Replaces "building" with "premises", suggesting a broader view of the surrounding area.

FAQs

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

You can use "looking at the building" to describe someone observing or examining a building. For example, "While "walking down the street", I was "looking at the building" and admiring its architecture."

What can I say instead of "looking at the building"?

Alternatives include "observing the structure", "examining the edifice", or "inspecting the construction" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "looking at the building" grammatically correct?

Yes, "looking at the building" is grammatically correct. It is a present participle phrase functioning as a gerund, used to describe the action of observing a building.

What is the difference between "looking at the building" and "viewing the property"?

"Looking at the building" generally refers to a simple observation. "Viewing the property" often suggests a more formal or purposeful examination, potentially with intent to buy or rent.