weak building

USAGE SUMMARY

"weak building" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a building that is not structurally sound or is in a state of disrepair. For example, "The old factory had a weak building with crumbling walls and a roof that leaked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

| Updated The latest earthquake in Turkey — that country's strongest in a decade — provides a fresh reminder of the deep vulnerability created by weak building designs in the world's crowded seismic danger zones.

The New York Times

"Universities are really one of the fundamental building blocks of society, but in many Arab countries, they are weak building blocks," he said in an interview at the trust's office.

The New York Times

Natural structural materials such as bone and seashells are made of relatively weak building blocks, yet they exhibit remarkable combinations of stiffness, strength and toughness.

Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids

Fossil fuel consumption has now joined the traditional drivers of disaster risk such as poverty, inappropriate land use, weak building codes, the disappearance of protective ecosystems and lax governance, as drivers of preventable loss of life, displacement and loss of livelihoods.

Huffington Post

Where mutual respect and trust among CHWs and key actors in the community and health system have been absent or weak, building this relationship may have to be a first priority [ 49].

Human Resources for Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Others were trapped for days on end under Haiti's alarmingly weak buildings.

Independent

Also on Wednesday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that his government would crack down on the poor construction that has been blamed for the scope of the disaster, saying the government would more strictly enforce building laws and demolish especially weak buildings.

The New York Times

In recommending how to mitigate the ongoing danger, the commission limits itself to quite general comments about improving the resilience of weak buildings, both public and private.

Science Magazine

The results clearly confirm that special attention should be paid to appropriate design of a weaker building, for which earthquake-induced structural pounding can be catastrophic.

Engineering Structures

Vulnerability classes range from A (the weakest buildings, having the highest indices) to F (the most resistant ones, with the lowest scores).

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Extensive tree damage was also reported across the island, as well as structural damage to weaker buildings, such as barns and silos.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of a natural disaster, use "weak building" to highlight the vulnerability of structures built without proper codes or materials.

Common error

Avoid using "weak building" metaphorically when describing abstract concepts like arguments or systems. Stick to its literal meaning of physical structures.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weak building" primarily functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "weak" modifies the noun "building". Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "weak building" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It primarily serves to describe a building that lacks structural integrity, and it is commonly found in news reports, scientific publications, and general discussions. While perfectly correct to use in contexts of earthquakes for example, you should be aware of best practices and errors to avoid. Consider alternative phrases like "fragile building" or "dilapidated building" to add nuance, and always ensure the phrase is used literally to describe physical structures, avoiding metaphorical applications. In general the phrase is valid and perfectly usable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fragile building

Highlights the building's susceptibility to damage or collapse.

structurally unsound building

Emphasizes the lack of structural integrity and potential safety hazards.

dilapidated building

Focuses on the state of disrepair and neglect.

rickety structure

Suggests a building that is poorly constructed and unstable.

flimsy construction

Highlights the use of substandard materials or poor workmanship.

decaying edifice

Emphasizes the gradual deterioration and decline of the building.

vulnerable building

Indicates the building's susceptibility to damage from external forces.

unstable structure

Focuses on the lack of stability and potential for collapse.

poorly built structure

Highlights deficiencies in the initial construction of the building.

shoddy construction

Implies inferior quality and lack of attention to detail in the building's construction.

FAQs

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

You can use "weak building" to describe a structure that is not structurally sound. For example: "The earthquake exposed the many "weak building"s in the city."

What are some synonyms for "weak building"?

Alternatives to "weak building" include "fragile building", "dilapidated building", or "structurally unsound building".

What makes a building a "weak building"?

A "weak building" typically suffers from poor construction, substandard materials, lack of maintenance, or damage from natural disasters.

Is it appropriate to use "weak building" in a metaphorical sense?

While possible, using "weak building" metaphorically is less common. It's generally better to reserve it for literal descriptions of physical structures to avoid confusion.