a vast square of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a vast square of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large, square-shaped area or space, often in a physical or metaphorical context. Example: "The artist painted a vast square of blue on the canvas, capturing the essence of the sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Nothing is left except a vast square of wasteland.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A veal breast cassoulet sounded interesting, and it was, but not in a good way: a vast, square hunk of undercooked meat, looking like something carved by Barbara Hepworth, sat in a meagre puddle of white beans.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Here Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell were not frightened out by Johnson and Ryan Harris, who again bowled with a captivating sense of controlled aggression, a vast square double helping of a man, gliding in with his arms dangling at his sides.

The Guardian - Sport

By far the most ambitious main course was a duck tasting, a vast square plate holding, in each of three corners, a variation on the named ingredient: breast seared to order (this time medium rare and on target), pleasingly fatty leg confit, and a spring-roll wrapper filled with spaghetti squash, savoy cabbage and more confit.

The New York Times

The building seemed simultaneously grand and insubstantial, sitting in a vast square that was utterly empty, out of a De Chirico or a dream.

Forbes

With a tower 213 feet (65 metres) high, surmounted by a large bronze crown and a crystal cross, it is flanked by hospitals and retreat houses and faces a vast square in which is the little Chapel of the Apparitions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After you crawl through this gauntlet, you then find yourself facing one of the most remarkable phenomena in Silicon Valley: 45 checkout cashiers arrayed in a vast square.

Forbes

In "Ribs Ribs," loosely drawn in oil stick, Basquiat left much of the vast square surface of the white paper uncovered, which is usually a handicap.

The New York Times - Arts

"The only thing that can save the Republic of Korea from this crisis is you," he said at a rally on the vast square in front of Seoul Station, two miles from where Ms Park wound up her campaign.

Independent

This city, once the nation's fourth largest, has a shrunken tax base but still has a vast 139 square miles of land to maintain.

The New York Times

Across the vast square in front of the Winter Palace, the majority of Manifesta is installed in the recently renovated General Staff Building.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a vast square of", ensure that the noun following "of" accurately reflects what is being described. For example, "a vast square of wasteland" or "a vast square of concrete".

Common error

Avoid using adjectives that contradict the inherent shape of a square when describing it. For example, "a vast round of" is contradictory, as squares are not round. Ensure the adjective complements the square shape.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a vast square of" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It combines an adjective of size ("vast") with a shape descriptor ("square") to characterize a particular area or surface. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a vast square of" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, albeit not very common, used to describe something that is both large and square-shaped. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for diverse contexts, with its most frequent appearances in News & Media and encyclopedic content. The phrase effectively combines the concepts of immensity and geometric shape to create a vivid description. For more common alternatives, consider "a large square area of" or "an expansive square of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a large square area of

Replaces "vast" with "large", reducing the emphasis on immensity.

an expansive square of

Substitutes "vast" with "expansive", highlighting the broadness of the area.

a wide square stretch of

Replaces "vast" with "wide" and "area" with "stretch", focusing on the area's extent.

a sizable square section of

Uses "sizable" instead of "vast" and "section" instead of "square", changing the nuance to a considerable portion.

a massive square tract of

Emphasizes the scale using "massive" instead of "vast" and "tract" instead of "square", suggesting a substantial land area.

a huge square expanse of

Replaces "vast" with "huge" and adds "expanse" after square, amplifying the idea of a large open area.

a broad square field of

Substitutes "vast" with "broad" and "area" with "field", altering the context to an open space.

an immense square patch of

Uses "immense" to highlight the size and replaces "area" with "patch", implying a distinct segment.

a considerable square block of

Replaces "vast" with "considerable" and "area" with "block", suggesting a solid, substantial piece.

a sweeping square plane of

Substitutes "vast" with "sweeping" and "area" with "plane", focusing on the smoothness and uninterrupted nature of the surface.

FAQs

How can I use "a vast square of" in a sentence?

You can use "a vast square of" to describe a large, square-shaped area or space. For example, "The city opened onto a vast square of cobblestones." or "The map showed a vast square of unexplored territory."

What are some alternatives to "a vast square of"?

Alternatives include "a large square area of", "an expansive square of", or "a wide square stretch of", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a vast squared of"?

No, "a vast squared of" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "a vast square of", where "square" functions as a noun or adjective describing the shape of the area.

What is the difference between "a vast square of" and "a large area of"?

"A vast square of" specifically indicates a square shape, while "a large area of" is more general and doesn't specify the shape. Therefore, "a vast square of" is more precise when referring to a square-shaped space.