be hewn from a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be hewn from a" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is carved or shaped from a particular material or source, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The statue was said to be hewn from a single block of marble, showcasing the artist's skill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The car could almost be hewn from a steel billet.

The New York Times

They need their work to be hewn from a stronger substance, much like Unforgiven, rather than adhering to heroic clichés.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Each weighs 2kg and has been hewn from a €200,000 ingot of gold-platinum alloy.

The Guardian

Trout was hewn from a railroad tie and is 5 feet long.

The New York Times

The same material continues inside, as if these blocks have been hewn from a solid mass of metal foam – a nod to the office's own design process, carving blocky massing models from styrofoam.

The Guardian - Arts

Earth-loving techies have already had a bamboo smartphone from ADzero and there's a London-based outfit making bamboo bikes (as featured in on these pages earlier this year goo.gl/ahnygb), but this particular piece of wooden kit is hewn from a single piece of QWERTY-friendly walnut or maple.

Independent

Instead of being hewn from a single tree, they're made of myriad bits of wood, glued together in a range of patterns.

Science Magazine

When Odysseus has returned home and killed his wife's suitors he is not accepted by Penelope until he describes how his bed was hewn from an unmoveable olive tree at the heart of his house.

The Guardian - Books

When the galleries open, the house will be available as a private holiday let, an opportunity to stay on site, and will also offered to visiting artists (who could come to work in one of four studios currently being hewn from an old maltings off the high street).

The Guardian - Travel

Hence the "Rocky" franchise, and hence the conventional climax of "The Fighter," with Micky confronting an Irishman named Shae Neary Anthony Molinarii), who appears to be hewn from basalt.

The New Yorker

Their works tend to be hewn from the vast expanses of Nevada and New Mexico, miles from anywhere or anyone.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be hewn from a" to vividly describe something that appears strong, solid, and directly extracted from a raw source. This is especially effective in figurative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "be hewn from a" when a simpler phrase like "be made from" would suffice. This phrase is best reserved for situations where you want to emphasize the raw, primal nature of the source material and/or the forceful way it was shaped.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be hewn from a" functions as a passive verb phrase, often used to describe the origin or composition of something. It suggests that an object or idea has been forcefully and directly shaped from a particular source. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Arts

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be hewn from a" is a grammatically sound and evocative expression used to describe the forceful creation or origin of something from a raw material or source. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. While its frequency is uncommon, it appears across diverse domains like News & Media, Arts, and Science, imbuing writing with vivid imagery and depth. When a writer wants to evoke a sense of direct creation, particularly relating to something strong, solid, and extracted directly from a raw source, this phrase is the right choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be carved from a

Emphasizes the act of carefully shaping something by removing material.

be sculpted from a

Suggests a more artistic and refined process of creation.

be fashioned from a

Implies creation with skill and artistry.

be made from a

A more general term indicating the material something is composed of.

be constructed from a

Focuses on the building or assembly aspect of creation.

be formed from a

Indicates a natural or gradual process of creation.

be derived from a

Highlights the origin or source of something.

be extracted from a

Emphasizes the removal of something from a larger source.

originate from a

Focuses on the place or source where something begins.

stem from a

Suggests that something arises or develops from a particular source or cause.

FAQs

What does "be hewn from a" mean?

The phrase "be hewn from a" means to be cut or shaped from a particular material, often stone or wood. It can also be used metaphorically to describe something that originates from a specific source or idea.

How can I use "be hewn from a" in a sentence?

You can use "be hewn from a" to describe physical objects or abstract concepts. For instance, "The statue appeared to "be carved from a" single block of marble" or "His ideas were "derived from a" deep understanding of history".

What are some alternatives to "be hewn from a"?

Alternatives include "be carved from a", "be sculpted from a", "be fashioned from a", or "be made from a", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "be hewn from a" instead of "be made from a"?

"Be hewn from a" suggests a more forceful and direct creation process, often emphasizing the rawness or solidity of the source material. Use it when you want to highlight these aspects, rather than simply stating the composition of something.