outside the window

USAGE SUMMARY

"outside the window" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is physically outside of a window and that can be seen through the window. Example: I saw a beautiful garden outside the window.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Outside the window, the scenery is beautiful.

The New York Times - Sports

Suddenly, cameras flashed outside the window.

The New Yorker

A ladder was found outside the window.

The New York Times

A helicopter flew by outside the window.

The New York Times

Outside the window a football crowd thins.

The Guardian - Books

Clegg appears again outside the window.

The Guardian

Outside the window, the view was incredible.

The Guardian - Travel

A constantly shifting panorama unspooled outside the window.

Cornell University

Another time, a whale popped up outside the window.

Independent

Outside the window writer saw the snow falling.

The New Yorker

The man outside the window was my brother Mike.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "outside the window" to clearly indicate a location or scene that is directly visible when looking through a window. It's effective for setting a scene or describing observations.

Common error

Avoid using "outside the window" when you mean generally 'outdoors' or 'in the vicinity of the building'. The phrase specifically refers to what can be seen by looking through the glass.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outside the window" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by indicating location. Ludwig examples show it describing scenery, objects, or actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Academia

13%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outside the window" is a very common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe a location visible through a window. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide usage in diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media. When writing, ensure its use accurately reflects something seen through a window, and consider alternatives like "beyond the pane" for stylistic variation. Its neutral register makes it suitable for many types of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

visible through the window

Highlights the act of seeing something through the window.

in view from the window

Focuses on the perspective from inside, emphasizing what can be seen.

through the glass

Similar to "beyond the pane", but simpler, emphasizing the act of looking through the glass.

observable from the window

Highlights the capability of being observed or noticed from the window.

just past the window

Emphasizes the proximity of the object or scene to the window.

within sight of the window

Indicates that something is close enough to be seen from the window.

on the other side of the window

Highlights the separation created by the window.

beyond the pane

Replaces "window" with "pane", focusing on the glass itself and adding a slightly more formal or literary tone.

situated beyond the window

Formally describes the location of something being beyond the window.

in the vista from the window

Elevates the scene to a 'vista', suggesting a beautiful or impressive view.

FAQs

How can I use "outside the window" in a sentence?

You can use "outside the window" to describe a view, an object, or an action happening beyond the glass. For example, "The snow was falling heavily "outside the window"" or "I saw a cat sitting "outside the window"".

What's a more descriptive alternative to "outside the window"?

Consider using phrases like "beyond the pane", "visible through the window", or "in view from the window" to add more detail or stylistic flair depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "outside the window"?

The phrase is grammatically sound, but ensure it accurately reflects that something is specifically visible through a window. If you simply mean 'outdoors', a different phrase might be more appropriate.

What prepositions often follow descriptions of things "outside"?

The preposition "outside" can be followed by prepositions like "of" as in "outside of the window" or simply stand alone to describe the location directly as "outside the house".