massive edifice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "massive edifice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large and imposing building or structure, often in a formal or literary context. Example: "The massive edifice loomed over the city, a testament to the architectural prowess of its creators."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Structurally, it is a massive edifice built out of variations on a theme.

The New Yorker

Nearly $200 million of the casino's profits went into the museum complex, a massive edifice of stone and glass designed by the New York firm of James Polshek & Partners, which opened in 1998.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's as if there is this massive edifice of pretense with respect to how mortgage loans have been recorded all across the country and that edifice is creaking and groaning," said Christopher L. Peterson, a law professor at the University of Utah.

The New York Times

I'm interested in the tensions between pageantry and private faith, between selflessness and ego, between belief and doubt, between the human and the divine, the transcendent and the mundane, between the individual and the massive edifice of the Church, between humility and power, violence and love.

The New Yorker

Acid dispersion is an indication of eventual collapse-prone sectors of a volcanic edifice, but the presence of a less extreme hydrothermal system can already be sufficient to cause massive edifice collapse (López and Williams [1993]; Reid [2004]).

Journal of Applied Volcanology

The Emperor Diocletian built a waterfront palace here, as massive edifice of limestone and marble quarried from Brač Island, which was completed in 305 AD.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The play of light on these massive edifices – not always perfectly on cue, but that will come – gives these sets a febrile, ever-changing vitality.

The Guardian - Music

Parma, 20 miles away from downtown, is defined by auto factories: massive edifices to another era that now sit mostly idle.

The Guardian

The city boasts 1,500 churches in every possible architectural form, from elongated white buildings bearing the Chinese character that means love to squat grey brick ones to massive edifices in fake freestone with domes and colonnades.

The Guardian

These massive edifices began rising in the 1890s, each one claiming the "tallest building" crown and then giving way to a successor as the world's first skyline grew until it stretched like the Himalayas across the length of Manhattan.

Forbes

This article originally appeared on VICE US.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "massive edifice" to describe buildings or structures that are not only large but also imposing and impressive in their appearance or significance. This phrase adds a sense of grandeur and permanence to your description.

Common error

Avoid using "massive edifice" in casual or informal writing. This phrase is best suited for formal descriptions or literary contexts where a sense of grandeur is intended. Simpler terms like "large building" may be more appropriate in everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "massive edifice" primarily functions as a descriptive noun phrase. "Massive" serves as an adjective intensifying the noun "edifice", which denotes a large and imposing building. Ludwig examples showcase its usage in describing architectural structures and metaphorical constructs.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "massive edifice" is a descriptive phrase used to portray a building or structure as large, imposing, and significant. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically correct and suitable for formal contexts, as also suggested by the analysis of its register. While not frequently used (Ludwig identifies it as uncommon), the phrase effectively conveys grandeur and permanence. It commonly appears in news articles, science contexts and encyclopedias. When writing, remember to avoid overuse in informal conversation, as simpler synonyms may be more appropriate. As Ludwig examples suggest, related phrases such as "grand structure" or "imposing building" can provide alternative means of describing such structures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grand structure

Replaces "massive edifice" with a simpler term that emphasizes grandeur.

imposing building

Focuses on the impressive and dominant presence of the structure.

monumental building

Highlights the historical and significant nature of the edifice.

gigantic construction

Emphasizes the immense size of the structure.

colossal structure

Highlights the great size of the structure using a synonym for massive.

huge architectural wonder

Highlights both the size and admirable design.

vast complex

Suggests a large and intricate network of buildings.

substantial construction

Underlines the significance and scale of the building project.

large scale building

Highlights the great extent or scale of the building.

extensive structure

Emphasizes the structure's wide scope and size.

FAQs

How can I use "massive edifice" in a sentence?

You can use "massive edifice" to describe a large, imposing building. For example, "The government erected a "massive edifice" to house the new museum".

What phrases are similar to "massive edifice"?

Alternatives to "massive edifice" include "grand structure", "imposing building", or "monumental building". Each carries a slightly different nuance, emphasizing size, impressiveness, or historical significance.

In what contexts is "massive edifice" most appropriate?

"Massive edifice" is most appropriate in formal or literary contexts where you want to convey a sense of grandeur and permanence. It's commonly found in descriptions of historical buildings, government structures, or significant landmarks.

What is the difference between "massive edifice" and "large building"?

While both describe a building of considerable size, "massive edifice" implies a greater sense of impressiveness, permanence, and significance than "large building". "Edifice" suggests an elaborate and imposing structure.