a slab of stone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slab of stone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a flat, thick piece of stone, often in contexts related to construction, sculpture, or geology. Example: "The artist carefully selected a slab of stone to carve into a beautiful statue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

A slab of stone worn smooth in a flight of steps: fantastic.

The New Yorker

It is in fact a slab of stone; carved into it are the words "Nothing is written in stone".

The New York Times

A fitting memorial might be a slab of stone: "Isidor Cohnfeld 1846-1896/ Here began the original NoHo," with a feather at the bottom.

The New York Times

In the catacombs around the Lebanon Circle, a slab of stone has fallen away and the guide points out a glimpse of a rotting coffin.

The New York Times - Travel

It may consist of joist-supported wood planks or panels, decking or panels supported by wood or steel beams, a slab of stone or concrete on the ground, or a reinforced-concrete slab carried by concrete beams and columns.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It could be anywhere between £19.99 – what it would cost to buy a slab of stone down the garden centre – and £19tn, the turnover of the City of London," he said, referring to the legend.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

An Essex cabbie could not have put it better.Others in Labour, with its history of self-validating opposition, are trying to bury that truth as effectively as the "Ed Stone"—a slab of limestone hubris, chiselled with Mr Miliband's electoral promises has been carted off to a south London lockup.

The Economist

There it remains, like a fossilized inclusion in a slab of polished stone.

The New Yorker

On a slab of white stone about three stories tall, several thousand names are inscribed.

The New York Times - Travel

Standing on a slab of gray stone, Lindy Lindemann, a 78-year-old retired schoolteacher from Cumberland, Wis., leaned on a bamboo hiking stick to peer into the drilled depths.

The New York Times - Travel

Its colonnaded interior, radiating a confident simplicity, focuses on a central slab of stone, a dramatic altar sculpted by Henry Moore.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a flat, thick piece of stone, especially in architectural or archaeological contexts, use "a slab of stone" for clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "a slab of stone" metaphorically to describe something heavy or dense in an abstract sense (e.g. "a slab of stone of a problem"). Opt for more appropriate metaphors or analogies that better convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slab of stone" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. Ludwig AI analysis indicates its proper usage in written English, fitting seamlessly in various descriptive contexts as shown in available Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

14%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a slab of stone" is a grammatically sound and relatively common noun phrase used to describe a flat, thick piece of rock. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedic, and academic writing. While alternatives like "a block of stone" or "a piece of stone" exist, "a slab of stone" is often preferred for its specific connotation of thickness and form. When using this phrase, ensure it fits the descriptive needs of your writing, avoiding overly abstract or metaphorical applications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a stone slab

Reorders the words while retaining the core meaning.

a block of stone

Substitutes "slab" with "block", emphasizing the shape.

a piece of stone

Replaces "slab" with the more generic "piece".

a flagstone

Refers specifically to a flat stone used for paving.

a rock slab

Interchanges "stone" with "rock", slightly less formal.

a stone plate

Replaces "slab" with "plate", changing the connotation to a flatter object.

a paving stone

Highlights the use of the stone for paving purposes.

a cut stone

Focuses on the prepared nature of the stone.

a dressed stone

Emphasizes that the stone has been worked or shaped.

a hewn stone

Stresses that the stone was obtained through forceful cutting.

FAQs

How can I use "a slab of stone" in a sentence?

You can use "a slab of stone" to describe a flat, thick piece of rock in contexts such as construction, art, or geology. For instance: "The sculptor chose a large "a slab of stone" to create the monument".

What are some synonyms for "a slab of stone"?

Alternatives to "a slab of stone" include "a block of stone", "a piece of stone", or "a flagstone", depending on the context and specific type of stone being referenced.

Is it better to say "a slab of stone" or "a stone slab"?

Both "a slab of stone" and "a stone slab" are grammatically correct, but "a slab of stone" is slightly more common. The choice depends on the rhythm and emphasis you want in your sentence.

What is the difference between "a slab of stone" and "a sheet of stone"?

While both describe flat pieces of stone, "a slab of stone" implies a thicker, more substantial piece, whereas "a sheet of stone" suggests a thinner, flatter piece, similar to a sheet of metal or paper. In most real-world scenarios the thickness of the stone dictates whether you choose "a slab of stone" or "a sheet of stone".