middle of the block

USAGE SUMMARY

'middle of the block' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the location in a city or town of a particular block. For example: "He said he would meet me at the middle of the block, near the street corner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Watson Hall is in the middle of the block on the left (south) side.

Columbia University

For eight years I had thought I lived right in the middle of the block.

The New York Times

"Getting off," Mr. Beresford said.

The New Yorker

An eyesore in the middle of the block, completely different from all the other structures".

The New York Times

But like true New Yorkers, pedestrians responded by crossing in the middle of the block.

The New York Times

It is the tawny wooden house in the middle of the block.

The New Yorker

In the middle of the block was a small, red-brick church.

The New Yorker

Turn East again, and the entrance to the SIPA building is on the right, in the middle of the block.

Columbia University

The corner drugstore is still there, although it has since relocated to the middle of the block.

The New Yorker

"You still have to get people from the middle of the block to the end," Mr. Levine said.

The New York Times

From a red-and-white house in the middle of the block spongy smoke rolled out to the gray street.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing directions, clarify which side of the street the location is on if it's in the "middle of the block".

Common error

Don't assume everyone knows what you mean by the "middle of the block". Streets can have multiple blocks with different building arrangements, be specific in directions or descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "middle of the block" functions primarily as a locative prepositional phrase, indicating a specific position on a street, away from intersections. Ludwig confirms that is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

11%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "middle of the block" is a prepositional phrase commonly used to specify a location situated away from street corners. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts, especially when providing directions or describing a scene. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it provides a neutral and clear way to pinpoint locations. For alternative phrasing, options like "mid-block" or "center of the block" can be considered for brevity. Remember to add which side of the block when you are providing direction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mid-block

A shorter, more concise way of saying "middle of the block".

center of the block

Synonymous, using "center" instead of "middle".

halfway down the block

Describes the location as being approximately halfway along the block.

in the block's center

Rephrases to emphasize the block's central point.

at the block's midpoint

More formal, using "midpoint" to indicate the middle.

within the block's interior

Focuses on the location being inside the block rather than at either end.

along the block's central portion

More descriptive and emphasizes a section of the block.

midway between the intersections

Refers to the location in relation to the adjacent street intersections.

situated in the block's heart

More figurative, suggesting the location is central and important.

positioned centrally on the block

More verbose, highlighting the central positioning.

FAQs

How can I use "middle of the block" in a sentence?

You can use "middle of the block" to describe a location that is not at a corner, such as, "The bakery is located in the "middle of the block", between the post office and the library."

What's a simpler way to say "middle of the block"?

Alternatives include "mid-block" or "center of the block", which are shorter and maintain the same meaning.

Is it more accurate to say "center of the block" or "middle of the block"?

Both ""center of the block"" and "middle of the block" are generally interchangeable and accurate. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific context.

When is it important to specify "middle of the block" instead of just giving an address?

Specifying "middle of the block" is helpful when the building number is not clearly visible, or when the entrance is not directly accessible from the street corner.