a stack of boxes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a stack of boxes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a physical arrangement of boxes that are piled on top of each other. Example: "In the corner of the room, there was a stack of boxes waiting to be unpacked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

It looks like a stack of boxes".

The New York Times

The tops of shoes suggested ski bindings, their heels a stack of boxes.

The New York Times

A sample pair will be placed on top of a stack of boxes.

The Guardian - Travel

The film shows a stack of boxes attached to a parachute which contain various weapons.

The Guardian

Reed led Fleck and Tallach to a stack of boxes containing collectors' editions of Fleck's books.

The New York Times - Sports

Jimmy brings up the rear, carrying a stack of boxes, and squeezes his way on to the conference table.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Burton had pulled out a stack of box lever files in which were archived the inspirational mood boards and studio fittings for the Plato's Atlantis collection.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The event also drew several African-Americans, one of whom, Robert Johnson, 25, worked as a volunteer, using a bullhorn to guide people to a stack of box lunches, while trying to rouse them to chant, "Praise the Lord!" Afterward, Mr. Johnson said he had attended the rally in Washington in 1997, and handed out Bibles.

The New York Times

Each day, he lugged his Baseball Encyclopedia and a stack of box scores to his boiler-room post, and compiled evidence — that starting pitchers have no effect on attendance, that catchers have a great effect on base stealing (amazingly, this had not previously been apparent), that ballplayers peak, in fact, in their late twenties.

The New Yorker

Each day, he lugged his Baseball Encyclopedia and a stack of box scores to his boiler-room post, and compiled evidence that starting pitchers have no effect on attendance, that catchers have a great effect on base stealing (amazingly, this had not previously been apparent), that ballplayers peak, in fact, in their late twenties.

The New Yorker

MCALESTER, Oklahoma ― Just after 11 30 a.m., two correctional workers led a group of five people past a stack of box lunches into a sparse recreation room where they would wait out the next three hours. .

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the arrangement, be specific about the size, type, and stability of the "stack of boxes". For instance, is it a "precarious stack of cardboard boxes" or a "neat stack of storage boxes"?

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions with "stack". For example, say "a stack of boxes" not "a stack with boxes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a stack of boxes" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, referring to a collection of boxes arranged vertically. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

12%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Science

20%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a stack of boxes" is a common noun phrase used to describe a collection of boxes arranged vertically. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides many examples of its use in various contexts, primarily in news and media. While seemingly simple, the phrase can carry different connotations depending on the descriptive words added, affecting the image it evokes. When writing, consider the specific arrangement and context to accurately convey your intended meaning. Some alternatives, such as "a pile of boxes" or "a heap of boxes", offer similar meanings but with slight differences in implication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pile of boxes

Replaces "stack" with "pile", suggesting a less orderly arrangement.

a heap of boxes

Uses "heap" instead of "stack", implying a more disorganized and random collection.

a mountain of boxes

Substitutes "stack" with "mountain", emphasizing the large quantity and imposing size.

a collection of boxes

Replaces "stack" with "collection", focusing on the assembled group rather than the arrangement.

boxes stacked high

Inverts the structure to emphasize the vertical height of the arrangement.

an accumulation of boxes

Uses "accumulation" for "stack", suggesting a gradual gathering over time.

a tower of boxes

Employs "tower" in place of "stack", highlighting the vertical and potentially unstable nature.

a group of boxes

Replaces "stack" with "group", emphasizing the plurality but not necessarily the arrangement.

a load of boxes

Uses "load" for "stack", highlighting the quantity and potential burden.

assorted boxes piled together

Expands the description to include the idea of different types and a less precise arrangement.

FAQs

How can I use "a stack of boxes" in a sentence?

You can use "a stack of boxes" to describe a pile of boxes, as in "There was "a stack of boxes" in the corner of the room".

What are some alternatives to "a stack of boxes"?

Some alternatives include "a pile of boxes", "a heap of boxes", or "a mountain of boxes", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a stack of boxes" or "boxes stacked up"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "a stack of boxes" is a noun phrase describing the pile, while "boxes stacked up" is a verb phrase describing the action of piling the boxes.

What kind of imagery does "a stack of boxes" evoke?

The phrase "a stack of boxes" can evoke images of moving, storage, organization, or even chaos, depending on the context and adjectives used to describe it further.