small building

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small building" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a structure that is not large in size, often in contexts related to architecture, real estate, or urban planning. Example: "The small building at the corner of the street has been converted into a cozy café."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

A key objective in nanotechnology is to build functional structures from small building blocks, i.e. nanoparticles.

Powder Technology

"It's a small building, four floors.

The New York Times

For a small building, the design has enticing complexity.

The New Yorker

Our Big Society is being controlled from a Small Building.

Independent

Someone observed Taliban in a small building just ahead.

The New York Times

It grew dark and we moved inside a small building.

The New Yorker

A small building near the checkpoint burst immediately into flames.

The New York Times

The company is headquartered in a small building in Bangkok.

The Guardian

Eventually, they bought a small building and opened a bookstore.

The New York Times

For a small building, it's crammed with sensual delights.

The Guardian - Arts

He had similar success with a small building he erected on Taaffe Place in Clinton Hill.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "small building" in contrast to larger structures to emphasize size differences, or to highlight efficiency and charm.

Common error

Avoid using "small building" as a generic descriptor. Provide additional context about its purpose, style, or location to create a more vivid and informative image for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small building" primarily functions as a descriptive noun phrase. The adjective "small" modifies the noun "building", providing information about its size. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

14%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "small building" is a grammatically sound and widely used descriptive term. As Ludwig confirms, it serves to indicate that a structure is limited in size, and it appears frequently across various sources, including news media, scientific publications, and general writing. While versatile, avoid overuse by enriching your descriptions with more specific details and considering synonyms like ""modest structure"" to enhance clarity and engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

modest structure

Emphasizes the simplicity and lack of pretension of the building. Slightly more formal.

compact edifice

Highlights the efficient use of space in the building. More formal.

petite construction

Suggests a delicate or charming quality in the building. Less common usage.

miniature building

Implies the building is significantly smaller than average.

bijou property

Often used in real estate to describe a small but stylish building. Primarily British English.

small-scale architecture

Focuses on the architectural design of a small building. More technical.

tiny house

Specifically refers to a very small, often self-sufficient dwelling.

low-rise building

Describes a building with few stories, not necessarily small in footprint.

small holding

Suggests the idea of a tiny rural property with a small building and surrounding land.

limited space building

Focuses on the constraint of space inside the building. Less common usage.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "small building"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms such as "modest structure", "compact edifice", or even "tiny house".

Is it grammatically correct to say "small building"?

Yes, "small building" is grammatically correct. "Small" is an adjective modifying the noun "building".

How does the meaning of "small building" change with different adjectives?

Adding other adjectives before "small building", such as "charming small building" or "dilapidated small building", adds greater depth to the description.

In what context would one use the phrase "small building"?

The phrase "small building" is appropriate for real estate descriptions, architectural discussions, or any situation where you need to specify that a structure is not large.