outdated building

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outdated building" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a building that is no longer considered modern or suitable for current standards. Example: "The city council decided to renovate the outdated building to meet contemporary safety regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The Bloomberg administration wants to reform New York City's cumbersome and outdated building code, and that's an effort worth applauding.

The New York Times

When calculating what it would cost to adapt an outdated building to new use, embodied energy is rarely included; instead, those who would destroy compare renovation to building anew.

The New Yorker

Among Ms. Lancaster's major achievements, the mayor and people in the development industry said, was rewriting the city's confusing and outdated building code while coping with a building boom that stretched the department to its limits.

The New York Times

But the administration weakened the enforcement arm of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development and did not do enough to reform the Buildings Department or the city's outdated building code, Dr. Schill said.

The New York Times

It also moved its head office down the road to Sandwich, Kent, from its outdated building in Margate and is planning to shift its popular visitor centre to nearby Ramsgate.

The Guardian - Business

The roots of India's conservation failures are closely related to some of the other urban ills I've written about: outdated building codes, poorly defined lines of municipal authority, and the general pressures of development and urbanization in a rapidly growing country.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Many students attend classes in outdated buildings in neighborhoods that are marked by abandonment.

The New York Times

"Some of that space is in outdated buildings," said Dean J. Shapiro, executive director of Insignia/ESG for Westchester and Connecticut.

The New York Times

Outdated buildings and factories have to be upgraded or replaced to consume less and pollute less.

The New York Times

The idea is to demolish outdated buildings and erect modern office buildings to compete with London or Singapore.

The New York Times

The symphony and the Dallas Museum of Art had been housed in outdated buildings in a complex known as Fair Park, a 15-minute drive from downtown.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific building, provide context about why it is considered an "outdated building". Specify features that make it so, such as its design, technology, or functionality.

Common error

Avoid using "outdated building" as a vague descriptor. Instead, clarify which aspects are outdated, such as the infrastructure, technology, or design, to provide a clearer and more informative description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outdated building" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "outdated" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "building". It describes a specific type of building that is no longer current or functional. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outdated building" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a building that no longer meets modern standards. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. While the phrase is used less frequently (uncommon), it is suitable for professional or neutral contexts, and often appears in news reports and scientific articles. When using the phrase, it's best to provide specific details about what makes the building outdated to give the reader more context. Alternatives include "obsolete structure" and "old-fashioned edifice".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

antiquated building

Replaces "outdated" with a synonym emphasizing historical age.

obsolete structure

Substitutes "building" with "structure", highlighting the obsolescence.

old-fashioned edifice

Uses "old-fashioned" and "edifice" to convey a sense of being out of style.

obsolescent building

Highlights that building is becoming obsolete.

aging building

Simple alternative emphasizing the age of the building.

archaic construction

Emphasizes the old-fashioned nature of the building's construction.

antiquated construction

Synonym for archaic, focusing on historical age of the building.

dilapidated building

Focuses on the state of disrepair rather than just being outdated.

rundown structure

Describes the building's poor condition and state of neglect.

superannuated building

Emphasizes the building's age and retirement from active use.

FAQs

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

You can use "outdated building" to describe a structure that no longer meets modern standards or requirements. For example: "The city plans to demolish the "outdated building" and construct a new community center."

What are some alternatives to saying "outdated building"?

You can use alternatives like "obsolete structure", "old-fashioned edifice", or "dilapidated building" depending on the specific context.

What makes a building "outdated"?

A building can be considered "outdated" if it has features, systems, or designs that are no longer efficient, safe, or compliant with current standards. This might include outdated infrastructure, inefficient energy systems, or non-compliance with modern building codes.

Is it always necessary to replace an "outdated building"?

Not necessarily. Depending on its historical significance, structural integrity, and potential for renovation, an "outdated building" might be restored or repurposed instead of being demolished. Renovation can bring the building up to modern standards while preserving its historical character.