surrounding the building

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surrounding the building" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is located around or encircling a building, often in the context of landscaping, security, or urban planning. Example: "The park surrounding the building provides a beautiful green space for visitors to enjoy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sharpshooters were posted on rooftops surrounding the building.

Independent

The Israelis are surrounding the building on all sides.

The New York Times

Police officers surrounding the building kept all others at a distance.

The New York Times

The police reacted by kettling protesters surrounding the building, but some managed to escape.

Independent

"The gates surrounding the building never fail to tell me, 'Keep Out,' " she said.

The New York Times

Parking will be prohibited on the streets surrounding the building to prevent another truck bomb.

The New York Times

To quell the mutiny, soldiers surrounded the narrow lanes surrounding the building.

The New York Times

Its Doric peripheral construction (having columns surrounding the building) of local gray limestone has been partially restored.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Soon the protesters formed human chains to block the six intersections surrounding the building, as police stood by watching.

The New Yorker

One resident, Miosoti Rivera, said she smelled smoke in her upstairs apartment, looked outside and saw smoke surrounding the building.

The New York Times

The walls surrounding the building are pockmarked with holes the assailants used as toeholds to clamber over.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a location, consider the specific spatial relationship you want to convey. Use "surrounding the building" when you want to emphasize that something is present on all sides or completely encompasses the building.

Common error

Avoid using "surrounding the building" when a simpler phrase like "near the building" or "around the building" would suffice. "Surrounding" implies a complete enclosure, which may not always be accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surrounding the building" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or verb to provide information about location. It specifies the area around a particular building, often in contexts related to security, construction, or landscaping. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the prepositional phrase "surrounding the building" is grammatically sound and commonly used to denote the area immediately around a structure. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears most frequently in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts, with a neutral formality level. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the spatial relationship you intend to convey, and consider alternatives like "around the building" or "encircling the building" for variety. While it is a common phrase, be wary of overuse. The phrase has broad applicability, as evidenced by its presence in diverse authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encircling the building

Emphasizes a complete circle around the building.

in the area surrounding the building

A more verbose way to specify the area around the building.

around the building

A more general term for the area near the building.

in close proximity to the building

Emphasizes the nearness of something to the building.

adjacent to the building

Focuses on things that are next to or bordering the building.

immediately outside the building

Focuses on the area directly outside the walls of the building.

in the vicinity of the building

Describes a wider area in the immediate neighborhood of the building.

on the perimeter of the building

Highlights the outer boundary line around the building.

bordering the building

Highlights the boundary or edge shared with the building.

in the environs of the building

A more formal way of saying in the surrounding area.

FAQs

How can I use "surrounding the building" in a sentence?

The phrase "surrounding the building" is used to describe things that are located all around a building. For example: "Police officers were "surrounding the building" during the protest."

What are some alternatives to "surrounding the building"?

You can use alternatives such as "around the building", "encircling the building", or "adjacent to the building" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "surrounding the building" versus "near the building"?

"Surrounding the building" implies that something is on all sides of the building. "Near the building" simply means it is close by, but not necessarily encompassing it.

Is there a difference between "surrounding the building" and "in the vicinity of the building"?

"Surrounding the building" suggests a closer, more immediate proximity than "in the vicinity of the building", which can refer to a wider area around the building.