within these walls

USAGE SUMMARY

"within these walls" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a space, location, or area that is surrounded by walls. For example, "The secrets of the family were kept within these walls."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Arts

Lifestyle

Opinion

Sport

Film

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

It was titled Within These Walls – a Journey Inside.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

At its peak in the 17th century some 220 beguines lived within these walls.

The New York Times - Travel

Jennifer Saunders plays her like a horny Googie Withers from Within These Walls.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Each of his previous major triumphs have been brilliantly celebrated within these walls.

The Guardian - Sport

Safah What about The War Within These Walls by Aline Sax and translated by Laura Watkinson.

The Guardian

She excelled as a shoplifter in Within These Walls with Googie Withers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

By becoming less of a "within these four walls" entity to something that's much more amorphous, they can focus on assembling the right talent at the right time to accomplish a given project.

TechCrunch

IN "Henry V, Shakespearee asked the groundlings standing in the Globe's pit and the patrons crammed onto the hard benches to use their imaginations and "Suppose within the girdle of these walls/ Are now confin'd two mighty monarchies".

The New York Times

In sections of nasturtium seed monoclonal antibodies LM15 and CCRCM1 bound to distinct regions of cotyledon parenchyma cell walls indicating the spatial regulation of xyloglucan structure within these cell walls.

BMC Plant Biology

"Whatever we say, must stay within these three walls," insists the Queen, even as she stares out beyond the fourth wall into the audience.

The Guardian

To think that I shall never sing again within these beloved walls!

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "within these walls" to create a sense of intimacy, secrecy, or confinement in your writing. It's particularly effective when describing personal experiences or the atmosphere of a place.

Common error

Avoid using "within these walls" in situations where the literal presence of walls is irrelevant. Opt for more general phrases like "in this environment" or "here" when the physical enclosure isn't the key point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "within these walls" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier to indicate location or circumstance. Ludwig examples show its use to specify where an action occurs or where a condition exists. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Lifestyle

15%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "within these walls" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to denote location or containment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used correctly in various contexts, particularly in news, lifestyle, and arts-related content. Its communicative purpose is to emphasize enclosure, privacy, or restriction. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, its frequent appearance in reputable news sources like The Guardian and The New York Times lends it a degree of formality. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "inside these boundaries" or "behind these walls", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

behind these walls

Highlights the protective or concealing nature of the walls.

inside these boundaries

Emphasizes spatial limits or restrictions.

within this building

Directly refers to being inside a specific building.

in this enclosure

Focuses on the enclosed space.

within this space

Highlights the area or volume contained.

herein

A more formal and concise way of saying "within this place".

in this environment

Shifts the focus to the surrounding conditions or atmosphere.

in the confines of this place

Emphasizes the restrictive aspect of the location.

under this roof

Implies being within a building or home.

inside this structure

Focuses on the architectural aspect of the enclosure.

FAQs

How can I use "within these walls" in a sentence?

Use "within these walls" to describe activities, feelings, or secrets that are contained or experienced inside a particular place, such as a home, prison, or institution. For example, "The most important thing is the love that exists "within these walls"".

What phrases are similar to "within these walls"?

Similar phrases include "inside these boundaries", "in this enclosure", or "behind these walls", each emphasizing a slightly different aspect of enclosure or containment.

Is it appropriate to use "within these walls" in formal writing?

Yes, "within these walls" is suitable for formal writing, especially when you want to emphasize the physical or metaphorical boundaries of a space. However, consider the context and whether a more straightforward phrase would be clearer.

What's the difference between "within these walls" and "in this place"?

"Within these walls" specifically refers to the area enclosed by walls, suggesting a physical boundary or confinement. "In this place" is more general and can refer to any location, whether or not it has walls.