a vase of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a vase of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the contents of a vase or the type of flowers or other objects that are placed inside a vase. Example: She carefully arranged a vase of white roses on the dining room table for the dinner party.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A woman enters, carrying a vase of flowers.

The New Yorker

On the windowsill was a vase of marigolds.

The New Yorker

Then she adds a vase of red flowers.

The Washington Post

How about putting a vase of flowers on the table?

The New Yorker

A vase of roses appeared shortly after I arrived.

The New York Times - Travel

A vase of pink roses sat beside them.

The New Yorker

A vase of tall quince branches sits in the entry.

The New York Times - Magazine

The only individual touch here, a vase of flowers on a stone pedestal, is probably ironic.

Independent

They're provided with a little table, a chair, and a vase of flowers.

The New Yorker

A vase of white roses sent by Mr. Herman sat on the piano.

The New York Times - Arts

Above, a vase of fake calla lilies pays homage to a portrait of the Virgin.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a scene, use "a vase of" to add a touch of elegance or domesticity. For instance, "A vase of lilies sat on the piano, filling the room with their delicate scent."

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "a vase of" in close proximity. If you're describing a room, try varying your descriptions with details about the types of flowers or the vase itself to maintain reader interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a vase of" primarily functions as a noun phrase that introduces a description of what a vase contains. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard English construct used to specify the contents within a vase, typically flowers or other decorative items. The phrase acts as a determiner followed by a noun, establishing a specific instance of a container and its contents.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a vase of" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to describe the contents of a vase. As Ludwig AI indicates, its primary function is descriptive, often adding a touch of elegance or domesticity to the context. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase maintains a neutral register and appears across diverse sources. To enhance your writing, consider varying your descriptions beyond the basic phrase and pay attention to the surrounding sentences to eliminate redundancy. Alternatives include "floral arrangement" or "flowers in a vase" for stylistic variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fresh flowers in a vase

Adds the adjective "fresh", specifying the condition of the flowers.

a bouquet in a vase

Specifies a bouquet, implying a more elaborate arrangement than just flowers in a vase.

cut flowers in a vase

Specifies that the flowers are cut, indicating they were not originally part of the vase itself.

a container filled with

Focuses on the action of filling a container rather than specifically mentioning a vase.

flowers displayed in a vase

Emphasizes the display of flowers, changing the focus from the vase as a container.

a floral arrangement

Highlights the artistic arrangement of flowers, omitting the vase itself.

a vessel containing flowers

Uses a more generic term "vessel" instead of "vase", broadening the type of container.

a decorative vase holding

Highlights the decorative aspect of the vase itself, rather than just its function.

a table centerpiece with flowers

Shifts the focus to the table decoration, suggesting the vase of flowers serves as a central point.

an arrangement of flowers

Focuses solely on the arrangement of flowers and completely omits the presence of the vase.

FAQs

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

The phrase "a vase of" is used to describe flowers or other items contained within a vase. For example, "She placed "a vase of roses" on the table."

What are some alternatives to saying "a vase of"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "floral arrangement", "flowers in a vase", or "bouquet in a vase".

Is it grammatically correct to say "a vase of flowers"?

Yes, "a vase of flowers" is grammatically correct and commonly used. It describes the contents of the vase being flowers.

What kind of flowers are typically put in "a vase of"?

Many types of flowers can be placed in "a vase of", including "roses", "lilies", "tulips", and "sunflowers". The choice depends on personal preference and the occasion.