low building

USAGE SUMMARY

"low building" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
You could use it in a sentence like this: "As I walked through the city, the low buildings gave way to taller skyscrapers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

There was a large man outside the long, low building.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was a low building with two classrooms on either side of a hot porch.

The Guardian

But actually a low building is the one whose shadow is going to last the longest".

The New Yorker

His house was a small low building called The Tunnel, with one long, windowless room.

The New Yorker

The low building that flanks his new home looked unremarkable to him.

The Guardian

A legacy of low building rates has contributed to backlog of around 2m homes.

The Guardian

"When rents are low, building values are low and taxes are low.

The New York Times

We are doing a rather low building that will essentially become their campus.

The New York Times

The long low building slips into the watery, suburban landscape like a sword into a green sheath.

The New Yorker

Apple's round, low building is supposed to melt into a newly planted orchard, camouflaged by its own transparency.

The New Yorker

Speray combat outpost is a typical Afghan "qalat", with high mud walls enclosing a courtyard and low building.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a building's dimensions, use "low building" to clearly indicate its lack of height relative to its surroundings or other structures nearby.

Common error

Avoid using "low building" to imply poor construction or inferior design. The term refers solely to height, not to the building's quality or value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "low building" primarily functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It modifies another noun, typically a structure or place, by specifying its relative height. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

The Guardian - Travel

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "low building" is a common and grammatically correct descriptive noun phrase used to indicate that a building is not very tall. Ludwig AI validates this phrase, and it appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, suggesting a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure that the low height is the primary characteristic you want to convey, and avoid using it to imply anything about the building's quality. Consider alternatives like "small building" or "low-rise building" depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

low-rise building

Uses the compound adjective 'low-rise', a common architectural term.

small building

Replaces 'low' with 'small', focusing on size rather than height.

short building

Uses 'short' as a direct synonym for 'low', emphasizing vertical dimension.

single-story building

Specifies the building's height in terms of stories.

ground-level structure

Focuses on the building's proximity to the ground.

low-slung building

Implies a building that is stretched out horizontally and close to the ground.

squat building

Emphasizes a wide and low appearance.

modest building

Suggests a building that is unassuming in size and appearance.

flat building

Highlights the lack of vertical extension.

compact building

Focuses on the building's small size and efficient use of space.

FAQs

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

You can use "low building" to describe a structure that is not very tall. For example, "The museum is housed in a long, "low building" near the park."

What are some alternatives to "low building"?

Some alternatives to "low building" include "small building", "short building", or "low-rise building". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "low building" in formal writing?

Yes, "low building" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a neutral and descriptive term that is widely understood and accepted. Other alternatives include "modest building".

What is the difference between "low building" and "small building"?

"Low building" specifically refers to the height of the structure, while "small building" refers to its overall size or footprint. A building can be both low and small, or it can be low but have a large footprint.