Question

why do you call a building when it is already built

Answer 1

1. Because the suffix 'ing' is added to verbs to make noun forms. For example a celebrity's following. Following describes the people who follow them in a noun form.

2. Building is a noun form of a thing that exists as the result of the act of those who built it.

3. Buildings are mostly built up of concrete. Concrete attains its maximum (but not full) strength after 28 days of curing (watering) but it takes more than 2 years for concrete to gain its full strength.

4. There is a continuous reaction between concrete and water which results in strength of concrete.

5. Since the reaction is continuous, maybe that is the reason it is called BUILDING.

6. A building keeps on building in the form of maintenance, rust, shoring, underpinning, replastering, whitewashing, painting, construction of additional storey etc.