a cube of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cube of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a three dimensional shape that has six equal sides and eight equal corners. For example, "She was fascinated by the ice cube in her drink, which was a perfect cube of ice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The.STL description currently spans a cube of about 12x12x12 units.

University of California, Berkeley

Hammer the beach and you'll nab a cube of sand.

MIT Technology Review

You're in a cube of light, basically, facing the Hudson.

The New York Times

Carla Shatz, PhD, sits inside what might be usefully thought of as a cube of wonder.

Stanford University

Over a cube of dry stone walls, the builder places an arched framework of timber.

The New York Times - Travel

Add a cube of vegetable stock if using water, and the finely chopped ginger.

The Guardian

Both contained a cube of meat that was out of reach.

The Economist

Nearby was a video of Mr. Alÿs pushing a cube of ice around city streets.

The New York Times

And all the ants on earth would fit into a cube of similar size.

The New York Times - Books

And she can sure conjure a craving: "Click in a cube of ice.

The Guardian - Books

He has a head injury, and his garbage-strewn apartment is a cube of unbearable stench.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a cube of" to describe a three-dimensional object with six equal square faces. Ensure that the context clarifies the material or content of the cube, such as "a cube of ice" or "a cube of sugar."

Common error

Avoid using "a cube of" to describe objects that are not perfect cubes. If the object is a rectangular prism but not a cube, use "a cuboid of" or "a rectangular block of" to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cube of" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a descriptor for a three-dimensional object with specific geometric properties. As shown by Ludwig, it is most often used to specify the material or substance that forms the cube, as in "a cube of ice" or "a cube of sugar".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

30%

Science

27%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a cube of" is a versatile noun phrase used to describe a three-dimensional object with six equal square faces. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and science. Predominantly, the phrase serves to delineate the material or content comprising the cube. When employing "a cube of", ensure the context elucidates the cube's composition, and avoid using it for non-perfect cubes. Alternatives like "a cubic piece of" or "a block of" may be more appropriate in certain scenarios. Given its widespread use in varied contexts, "a cube of" remains a valuable descriptive tool.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a solid cube of

Adds the adjective "solid" to emphasize the object's density and lack of hollowness.

a cubic piece of

Replaces the general term "cube" with "cubic" and "piece", emphasizing the three-dimensional aspect and material form.

a geometric cube of

Adds "geometric" to highlight the precise mathematical shape.

a block of

Substitutes "cube" with "block", implying a solid, often rectangular, three-dimensional shape.

a cuboid of

Replaces "cube" with "cuboid", specifying a rectangular prism, where not all sides are necessarily equal.

a three-dimensional piece of

This explicitly defines the dimension of the shape, making it clear it's not flat.

a portion shaped like a cube

Describes the shape explicitly rather than using a noun.

a measured cube of

Implies a cube with specific dimensions, often precise.

a squared piece of

Uses "squared" to represent a square in three dimensions, but may introduce ambiguity as "squared" usually refers to two dimensions.

a body of cubic form

Replaces the direct noun with a more descriptive phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "a cube of" in a sentence?

You can use "a cube of" to describe the shape and content of an object, such as "The sculptor carved "a cube of marble"" or "He added "a cube of cheese" to the salad".

What are some alternatives to "a cube of"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a cubic piece of", "a block of", or "a three-dimensional piece of".

Is it correct to say "a cube shaped object of" instead of "a cube of"?

While "a cube shaped object of" is understandable, "a cube of" is more concise and commonly used. For example, "a cube of ice" is preferable to "a cube shaped object of ice."

What does "isometric growth whereby volume increases as a cube of length" mean?

In biology, "isometric growth whereby volume increases as a cube of length" refers to the proportional increase in volume relative to the length, maintaining the shape while increasing in size. The lobster examples in Ludwig illustrate this concept.