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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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Outside the building

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outside the building" is correct and usable in written English
It is generally used to describe the physical environment or location of an object or person outside or near the building, typically one in which the speaker is inside. Example sentence: We watched in awe as the fireworks bursted in the night sky outside the building.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Outside, the building had a slightly art moderne cast.

News & Media

The New York Times

Outside, the building was blue and silver steel.

News & Media

The New Yorker

From the outside the building looks brand new.

From the outside, the building is very understated.

News & Media

Huffington Post

As we headed outside, the building had emptied out.

News & Media

Vice

Two military vehicles parked outside the building.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Outside the building, predictions vary wildly.

News & Media

The Guardian

There is no sign outside the building.

News & Media

The Guardian

The key was moved outside the building.

News & Media

The New York Times

The pen was found outside the building.

News & Media

The New York Times

There were often armed men milling outside the building.

News & Media

The New Yorker
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

✓ Best practice

When describing a scene, use "outside the building" to set the physical context before introducing specific details about the surroundings or actions taking place.

⚠ Common error

Ensure you're using "outside the building" to denote a location and not "out of the building" to describe someone exiting the building. The first describes location; the second describes action.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outside the building" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate location. It specifies where an action takes place or where something is situated, as seen in Ludwig's examples such as "People stood outside the building quietly" or "The pen was found outside the building."

Expression frequency: Very common

✓ Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

23%

Wiki

13%

⚠ Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "outside the building" functions as a prepositional phrase primarily used to specify a location external to a building. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. It is observed across a range of sources, including News & Media and Science. It's crucial to use "outside the building" to denote location, distinguishing it from "out of the building," which describes movement. Mastering this distinction can improve clarity in writing. Related phrases can provide alternatives, but maintain the core meaning.

FAQs

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

You can use "outside the building" to describe a location or events occurring in the vicinity of a building. For example, "The protesters gathered "outside the building"." or "Outside the building, the weather was stormy."

What are some alternatives to "outside the building"?

Some alternatives include "exterior of the building", "surrounding the building", or "grounds of the building", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "on the outside of the building" instead of "outside the building"?

While "on the outside of the building" isn't grammatically incorrect, ""outside the building"" is more concise and commonly used. The former emphasizes being physically attached to the exterior, while the latter describes the general area external to the structure.

What's the difference between "outside the building" and "out of the building"?

"Outside the building" refers to a location. For example, "The car is parked "outside the building"." "Out of the building" indicates movement from within the building to the exterior. For example, "The employees ran "out of the building" during the fire drill."

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: