superfluous building

USAGE SUMMARY

'superfluous building' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to a building that is unnecessary, extra, or unneeded. For example, "The government invested in the construction of a superfluous building that ultimately caused the city to go into debt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Just as modernist architecture stripped away superfluous building ornamentation, so the new Swiss typography snipped off the frivolous serifs – relics from an older era of print technology, namely stone carving.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Its chosen contractor will remove some of the nastiest waste and demolish superfluous buildings, but will not have to dismantle the reactors themselves, which will stand idle, and toxic, for up to 70 years.That will give some of the remaining radiation time to dissipate, making the final demolition a little easier.

The Economist

Nikos Godas, the mayor of the western Greek town of Ioannina, criticized the Athens Olympics organizers, saying they wasted billions in taxpayers' money building a superfluous, wind-ridden rowing site.

The New York Times - Sports

In 2010 Isabelle Aussourd and her husband, Jobic de Calan, bought a one-bedroom at 205 East 69th as well as an adjacent studio and a 42-square-foot landing (like 49 West 72nd, the building had a superfluous flight of stairs).

The New York Times

Desha says European investors for the project baulked at the idea of a building without airconditioners so, though superfluous, they were bolted on after construction to assuage investors' fears.

The Guardian

Disused buildings deter investors and attract criminals; superfluous infrastructure is costly to maintain; ambitious workers may refuse to move to places where the potential clientele is shrinking.

The Economist

He was so worried about looking superfluous that he'd leave the West Wing with a handful of papers and walk the halls of the nearby Old Executive Office Building, shuffling through the papers as if attending to important business.

The New Yorker

Superfluous, indeed.

The New York Times - Arts

Superfluous man.

The New York Times

You eliminate the superfluous.

The New York Times

That would be superfluous.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "superfluous building", ensure the context clearly indicates why the building is unnecessary or redundant. Provide specific reasons or examples to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "superfluous building" in overly formal or technical documents where more precise terms like "redundant facility" or "unnecessary construction" might be more appropriate. Consider the target audience and the overall tone of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "superfluous building" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase, where 'superfluous' acts as an adjective modifying the noun 'building.' It describes a building that is considered unnecessary or redundant. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "superfluous building" refers to a structure considered unnecessary or redundant. Ludwig AI confirms it's a grammatically correct phrase, though relatively rare in usage. It functions descriptively, often expressing criticism, and maintains a neutral register. Given its infrequent occurrence, it's essential to use the phrase deliberately and ensure the context clearly indicates the reasons for deeming the building unnecessary. Alternatives such as "unnecessary structure" or "redundant construction" may provide greater clarity in certain situations. Based on Ludwig examples the term is employed in news outlets.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unnecessary structure

Replaces "superfluous" with a more common synonym, focusing on the lack of necessity.

redundant construction

Substitutes both words, emphasizing the repetitive or excessive nature of the building.

excess building

A more concise way to express having more buildings than needed.

gratuitous edifice

Uses a more formal synonym for building and highlights the uncalled-for nature.

unneeded infrastructure

Broadens the scope to infrastructure, implying a larger system of unnecessary constructions.

wasteful construction

Focuses on the negative aspect of wasting resources on an unnecessary building.

pointless building

Emphasizes the lack of purpose or reason for the building's existence.

unjustified building

Highlights the absence of a valid reason or justification for constructing the building.

needless structure

Similar to "unnecessary structure", but with a slightly stronger emphasis on the lack of requirement.

extra building

Simple and direct way to convey that there are more buildings than required.

FAQs

What does "superfluous building" mean?

A "superfluous building" is one that is unnecessary or redundant, serving no essential purpose or duplicating existing facilities. It implies that the building is an extra and perhaps wasteful addition.

What are some alternatives to "superfluous building"?

Alternatives include "unnecessary structure", "redundant construction", or "wasteful building" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

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

Example: "The mayor criticized the construction of the new stadium, calling it a "superfluous building" that would burden taxpayers."

Is "superfluous building" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct, "superfluous building" is not a highly common phrase. It's more formal and less frequently used than simpler alternatives like "unnecessary building".