a stock of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a stock of" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use "a stock of" when referring to an amount of something that is kept available or ready for use. For example: "We have a stock of medical supplies on hand for any emergencies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"My neighbor must have a stock of earplugs," he said.

The New York Times

It values a flow of goods and services, not a stock of assets.

The Economist

Investment, unlike consumption, is cumulative; it leaves behind a stock of machinery, buildings and infrastructure.

The Economist

There was unrestricted viewing of Disney and National Geographic DVDs, and a stock of favorite snacks.

The New York Times

Oil extraction isn't really "income," it's running down a stock of wealth.

The Economist

A good mechanic with a stock of spare parts can keep it going indefinitely.

The Economist

A stock of apartment buildings in central cities, of course, makes rental management much easier.

The New York Times

Mr Putin has a stock of goodwill, both within Russia and abroad.

The Economist

By the end, he's accumulated a stock of reflections and insights that are breathtakingly banal.

The New York Times - Books

It usually has a stock of about 350,000 books, in a huge range of genres.

The Guardian - Travel

Beth was like a mysterious witch doctor with a stock of potions that never ran out.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a stock of", ensure the noun that follows is appropriate for indicating quantity or supply. For example, "a stock of spare parts" or "a stock of information".

Common error

Avoid using "a stock of" with intangible concepts where "body" or "amount" might be more suitable. For example, instead of "a stock of knowledge", consider "a body of knowledge".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a stock of" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a noun. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase indicates a quantity or supply of something that is available or reserved for future use. Examples show it describing tangible items like "earplugs" or "spare parts" as well as more abstract things such as "goodwill".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

41%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a stock of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to denote a supply or reserve of something. According to Ludwig AI, it’s grammatically sound and prevalent across various domains, especially in News & Media and Science. While it is generally neutral in tone, it’s important to use it appropriately, ensuring the noun it modifies makes sense in the context of quantity or supply. Remember to avoid misusing it with abstract nouns where a more suitable term like "body" or "amount" might be better. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "a stock of" in your writing to convey the presence of a reserve or supply.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a supply of

Replaces "stock" with "supply", focusing on the availability of something.

a reserve of

Indicates something kept back or saved for future use.

a store of

Highlights the accumulation or storage of something.

an inventory of

Emphasizes a detailed list of items held in reserve.

a quantity of

Highlights the amount or number of something available.

a collection of

Focuses on gathering multiple items.

an accumulation of

Focuses on the gradual increase in amount over time.

a reservoir of

Suggests a large or abundant supply.

a hoard of

Implies a hidden or carefully guarded supply.

a cache of

Indicates a hidden store of items.

FAQs

How do I use "a stock of" in a sentence?

Use "a stock of" to indicate a reserve or supply of something available for use. For example, "The store maintains "a stock of" essential goods."

What are some alternatives to "a stock of"?

Alternatives include "a supply of", "an inventory of", or "a reserve of", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "stock of knowledges"?

No, it's incorrect. "Knowledge" is generally an uncountable noun, so use "a stock of knowledge" instead of "a stock of knowledges."

What's the difference between "a stock of" and "stocks of"?

"A stock of" refers to a single collection or supply. "Stocks of" implies multiple separate supplies or reserves. For example, "a stock of food" versus "stocks of ammunition".