When I say "building big things" or "constructing big things" or "construction of big things" what do you understand from "things" first? Hopefully structures? Or not necessarily? And which one sounds better? I hope I asked this question in the right forum....
I suspect the answer will depend on the listener's / reader's background. By education and many years of professional experience, I am an architect so -- to me -- "big things" means either tall buildings or perhaps megastructures such as major dams. Between "building" and constructing"? Take your pick. For the most part, they are interchangeable.
Probably structures, but structures can include anything from a modern Taj Mahal to a bridge over the River Kwai. Is there a reason you don't want to be more specific?
Depends on the context. "Thing" might as well be a pronoun in some cases... it won't make much sense without an antecedent. Though sometimes "things" can refer to a bunch of varied stuff that's been lumped together, as in "pack your things." As for "build" and "construct" they're essentially interchangeable in the physical act of assembly, but "construct" tends to break down as you move more into the metaphorical. You can "build a life" but wouldn't really say "construct a life." I mean, you can and everyone will know what you're talking about, but it will sound weird.
I try never to use the word things. Honestly, I would replace "things" with what you actually mean and then you shouldn't have to worry about potential confusion.
It really would depend on context. It could mean building something on a solar scale, or with current technology a skyscraper. Then again, it might mean something built out of Lego that's over half a metre high. "Things" is a very vague word in English which can stand in for any noun.
Honestly? It sounds like my daughter describing her most recent Minecraft Project. (which isn't a bad thing tbh; she builds some pretty impressive stuff on there) Like Storysmith said, you do have to be careful with a word like that, because it is so vague as to possibly come across as just a little facile. If you're writing more formal/serious content, then you might prefer something like "building big structures" or "constructing large edifices." But then, the latter is so formal that it might ALSO come across as overly facile. Fact of the matter is, any of the examples you gave would work well enough I think.
"constructing" is a more formal word, so it doesn't suit "things". Constructing a building Building something/a house/an apartment etc Best to say what you mean. "Things" is an ambiguous filler.
