ears of wheat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ears of wheat" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a specific part of a wheat plant, the part that holds the grains. This phrase is commonly used in agricultural and farming discussions or to describe the appearance of a wheat field. Example: The farmer proudly showed off his bountiful harvest, pointing to the tall stalks with full ears of wheat swaying in the breeze.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

It was similar to the early bobbin-made lace of Genoa and had geometric patterns in which Maltese crosses and small, pointed ears of wheat were incorporated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He leaves with relief the grim "shuttered city" of Valladolid, which has shocked him with its poverty, and walks south for several days, "living on figs and ears of wheat".

The Guardian - Books

It is a resonantly splendid object -- about 6 by 4 1/2 feet of scarlet cotton velvet, luxuriously fringed, and bearing on one side an appliqueed hammer-and-sickle surrounded by ears of wheat.

The New York Times - Travel

In the "Blades of Grass" section different canvases zoom in on a single iris plant, a wallpaperlike expanse of ears of wheat and clumps of spiky grass overseen by white butterflies.

The New York Times - Arts

His latest, Fantastic Mr Fox, features most of the above, and it should come as no surprise to see that its hero sports a natty double-breasted version of Anderson's beloved suit, tastefully accessorised with a few ears of wheat in the breast pocket.

The Guardian - Film

My white-noise machine from Argos is set to Crashing Wave but I'm not averse to the presence of numerous and minute quanta moving very fast in unison; occasions when a light wind undulates the ears of wheat, or a hessian sack of pearl- barley seed is sliced with a pocket knife and pours.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

It is a particularly direct image, with blunt type, in which the ribs of a starving boy echo the grains of an ear of wheat.

The Guardian - Arts

As a design element on the reverse, Brenner used two ears of durum wheat.

Wikipedia

For example, the ears of domesticated wheat and barley do not shatter and drop their seeds when ripe, whereas those of their wild ancestors do, and the seeds are wind dispersed.

BMC Biology

Charlotte Garbutt, an analyst at HGCA, said the British crop, as well as being much smaller than normal, had been very poor quality this year because the ear of the wheat had not been exposed to enough sunlight.

The Guardian - Business

Though no inscriptional evidence exists, given its prominent position around the image of the king, the two ears of barley (or wheat) may have been representative symbols of the Aksumite state.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing agricultural scenes or symbolic representations of harvests, use "ears of wheat" to evoke a sense of abundance and natural beauty.

Common error

Avoid using "ears of wheat" interchangeably with general terms like "grains" or "crops". "Ears of wheat" specifically refers to the seed-bearing head of the wheat plant, not the overall harvest or other types of grain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ears of wheat" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often used as a subject or object within a sentence to refer to the seed-bearing heads of the wheat plant. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and common.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ears of wheat" is a grammatically sound and evocative noun phrase commonly used to describe the seed-bearing heads of wheat plants. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is appropriate for diverse contexts, ranging from agricultural descriptions to symbolic representations of prosperity. While not exceedingly frequent, its usage is consistent across news media, encyclopedias, and scientific literature. When writing, remember to use it to evoke agricultural imagery and avoid confusing it with more general terms like "grains" or "crops".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wheat heads

Synonymous; simply uses "heads" instead of "ears" to denote the grain-bearing part of the wheat plant.

golden wheat

Adds a descriptive adjective, emphasizing the color of the wheat ears.

wheat stalks

Focuses on the stems supporting the wheat ears, shifting emphasis from the grain-bearing part to the structural component.

sheaves of wheat

Refers to a bundled collection of wheat stalks, emphasizing the harvested product rather than the plant part.

wheat grain

Shifts the focus to the individual grains harvested from the wheat ears, rather than the structure holding them.

ripening wheat

Focuses on the stage of growth of the wheat, indicating the process of maturing.

harvested wheat

Emphasizes the process of harvesting wheat, removing the direct reference to the plant part.

standing wheat

Describes wheat that is still in the field, unharvested and upright.

fields of grain

Broadens the scope to include various types of grain crops, not specifically wheat.

cereal crops

Uses a broader term for grains, losing the specificity of "wheat".

FAQs

How can I use "ears of wheat" in a sentence?

You can use "ears of wheat" to describe fields, decorations, or symbolic representations of agriculture, for example: "The painting depicted golden fields filled with "ears of wheat" swaying in the breeze."

What's a good visual description involving "ears of wheat"?

You could describe the color and texture, such as: "The sun cast a warm glow on the "golden wheat", making the "ears of wheat" appear to shimmer like a sea of gold."

What is the symbolic meaning associated with "ears of wheat"?

Historically, "ears of wheat" often symbolize prosperity, harvest, and fertility, frequently appearing in emblems and artistic representations related to agriculture and abundance.

How do "wheat heads" compare to "ears of wheat"?

"Wheat heads" and "ears of wheat" are essentially synonymous, both referring to the seed-bearing part of the wheat plant. The choice between them often depends on stylistic preference.