# constructing

/kənˈstɹəktɪŋ/ (US) · /kənstɹˈʌktɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/constructing
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. building a structure

verb · CEFR B2

building or putting together something large, like a bridge or a house.

For teachers: the act of building or erecting a physical structure. Transitive; requires a direct object representing the entity being built.

- They are constructing a new office building in the city centre.
- Constructing the suspension bridge required innovative engineering techniques to withstand the high winds of the coastal valley.

Usage: Often used in the continuous tense to describe ongoing infrastructure projects.

### 2. creating an idea or sentence

verb · CEFR B2 · Academic

creating an idea, a theory, or a sentence by putting different parts together.

For teachers: the process of forming a mental or linguistic entity by combining various elements or arguments.

- The students are practicing constructing complex sentences in their English class.
- The philosopher spent years constructing a logical framework that could account for both ethical intuition and rational self-interest.

Usage: Common in academic contexts when discussing theories, arguments, or grammatical structures.

### 3. the act of building

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the process or act of building something.

For teachers: the action or process of construction. Used as a gerund noun to focus on the activity itself.

- The constructing of the monument took over ten years to finish.
- The careful constructing of his public image was essential to his political success during the election cycle.

## Examples

- The workers are constructing a new bridge over the river.
- The architect spent months constructing a detailed model of the skyscraper to show the investors.
- By carefully constructing a narrative that highlighted the company's social responsibility, the marketing team successfully rehabilitated the brand's public image after the scandal.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.