through the halls

USAGE SUMMARY

"through the halls" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a movement from one area to another, for example "We walked through the halls of the palace".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Ever fantasised about walking through the halls of Hogwarts?

Independent

Nor, for that matter, through the halls of the Pentagon.

The New Yorker

Flown through the halls this evening, packing what we can".

The Guardian - Arts

"I walk through the halls and it reminds me of MTV in the eighties," Freston said.

The New Yorker

("I've dragged snake skins through the halls of Congress," Snow says).

The New Yorker

I remember riding my tricycle through the halls of Congress at an early age.

The New York Times

There were dinner parties, shared babysitting duties and kids running through the halls.

The New York Times

Until then, Ms. White is blitzing through the halls of Congress, a routine practice for nominees.

The New York Times

Younger children asked Mr. Jean-Baptiste, 45, for a hug as he moved through the halls.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

I was a new staff writer, wandering disorientedly through the halls of the magazine.

The New Yorker

Instead, they moved through the halls in a tight pack.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "through the halls" to vividly describe movement and atmosphere within a building, such as a school, hospital, or government building.

Common error

Avoid using "through the halls" when describing movement across an entire campus or outdoor area; it implies a more confined, indoor space.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "through the halls" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner or direction of an action. Ludwig provides examples where it describes the movement of people, objects, or information within a building.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "through the halls" is a commonly used prepositional phrase, functioning primarily as an adverbial modifier to describe movement or activity within a building. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and versatile, fitting into both formal and informal contexts, with a neutral register. Predominantly found in News & Media, it effectively conveys the idea of traversing interior spaces, both literally and figuratively. While similar phrases exist, such as "down the corridors", they often carry slightly different connotations. Remember to use "through the halls" when emphasizing movement or general activity within a building, avoiding its use for broader outdoor areas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through the corridors

An exact synonym and perfectly interchangeable alternative.

across the hallways

Emphasizes movement from one side to the other within the hall area.

down the corridors

Focuses on the physical structure of long, narrow passages.

along the passageways

Similar to "corridors" but may suggest a more functional or less formal setting.

in the corridors

Focuses on the location within the corridors rather than the act of moving through them.

around the hallways

Suggests a less direct, possibly meandering movement.

in the passageways

Similar to 'in the corridors' but may apply to less formal settings.

through the school

References movement or existence within a specific institution, a school.

within the building

Broader scope, referring to general activity inside a structure.

inside the institution

Highlights activity within an organizational or institutional context.

FAQs

How can I use "through the halls" in a sentence?

You can use "through the halls" to describe someone moving or something spreading within a building, as in "The news spread "through the halls" quickly" or "She walked "through the halls", lost in thought".

What are some alternatives to "through the halls"?

Alternatives include "down the corridors", "along the passageways", or, for a broader scope, "within the building". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "in the halls" instead of "through the halls"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "In the halls" refers to a location, while ""through the halls"" implies movement or passage.

When should I use ""through the halls"" instead of a more specific location?

Use ""through the halls"" when you want to emphasize the journey or general activity across multiple areas of a building, rather than pinpointing a single spot. For example: "Whispers echoed "through the halls"", instead of pointing out that "the sound was heard in a particular office".