in an axe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in an axe" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to something related to an axe, but without context, it is unclear when it could be used. Example: "He was chopping wood in an axe, but it was difficult to control."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

As in an axe.

Britannica

He told him: The identity of "Mr A" That Jonathan Rees had been hired after a seven-year sentence for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice by planting cocaine on an innocent woman That he was on remand for conspiracy in an axe murder That the full background to his corrupt dealings had been published in the Guardian 2002.

The New York Times

For example, instead of saying "ask," throw in an "axe" here and there so it sounds like this: "Okay, axe me a question".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

That could be a drop in the ocean if an axe is taken to exchequer funding for sport in the wake of the 2012 Olympics.

The Guardian

Pou and Barrett think so, too; in addition to the summer camp, they hope to open a gym for people interested in an axe-centric exercise routine.

The New Yorker

3) Straight girls (or retarded people) being hoisted onto the meaty, shuddering, horselike shoulders of their boyfriends as though we had suddenly all been transported in an Axe-Body-Spray-scented pod to a Dave Matthews Band concert.

Vice

Before she could be taken away, Anderson locked herself in her room, and the door was broken in with an axe.

Wikipedia

At times we succeeded in using an axe and saw to cut off the horses' legs.

Independent

Of course, you can't expect Vikings to just, sort of, farm conventionally: where would be the fun in using an axe to dig up a big cabbage?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In 2008, Rees was charged with conspiring to murder Morgan, who was found in a car park in south London with an axe in the back of his head in 1987.

Independent

Merkel met with her chief of staff, interior minister, and a host of intelligence officials on Saturday to review the incident, which comes in the wake of the Bastille Day truck atrocity in Nice and an axe attack in Bavaria.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "in an axe" as it's not standard English. Opt for phrases like "with an axe" or "using an axe" to describe actions involving an axe.

Common error

Don't confuse "in" with prepositions that correctly indicate instrument or means. "In" typically denotes location or containment, which doesn't apply when describing the use of a tool like "an axe".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in an axe" functions incorrectly as a prepositional phrase, attempting to describe a state or location related to an axe. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is not considered grammatically correct in standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in an axe" is grammatically incorrect and rarely used in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms that it does not convey a clear meaning. More appropriate alternatives include "with an axe" or "using an axe" when describing actions involving an axe. Although there are few examples from News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Wiki, this is due to the phrase being considered non-standard. Therefore, it's best to avoid this phrase in formal writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with an axe

Changes the preposition to indicate instrumentality, suggesting the axe is a tool used to perform an action.

using an axe

Replaces the prepositional phrase to emphasize the act of employing an axe.

by means of an axe

Formalizes the expression, highlighting the axe as the method through which something is achieved.

axe-related

Shifts to an adjective describing something associated or connected to an axe.

pertaining to an axe

Formal alternative indicating relevance or connection to axes.

concerning an axe

Indicates that the topic is about an axe.

involved with an axe

Suggests participation or engagement with activities that make use of an axe.

axe wielding

Describes the act of holding or using an axe, often suggesting aggression or capability.

chopping with an axe

Specifies the action of cutting wood using an axe.

affected by an axe

Describes an entity that has experienced some action or consequence of using an axe.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say something is done with an axe?

The correct phrasing would be "with an axe" or "using an axe". For example, "He chopped the wood "with an axe"" or "She was splitting logs "using an axe"".

Is it grammatically correct to say "in an axe"?

No, the phrase "in an axe" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The preposition "in" implies containment or location, which doesn't logically apply to using a tool like an axe. Use "with" or "using" instead.

What does "with an axe" mean?

"With an axe" indicates that an axe is the tool being used to perform a specific action. It specifies the instrument employed for a task, such as cutting or splitting wood.

When should I use "using an axe" instead of "in an axe"?

You should always use ""using an axe"" if you intend to convey that an axe is being employed to carry out an action. The phrase "in an axe" is generally incorrect and doesn't make sense in most contexts.