in an ice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in an ice" is not correct and usable in written English.
It may be intended to refer to being inside or surrounded by ice, but the correct expression would typically be "in ice" or "in the ice." Example: "The fish were trapped in the ice during the winter months."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Refrigerate until cold, then chill in an ice cream maker.

The New York Times - Food

Spin in an ice cream maker until thick.

The New York Times - Magazine

Refrigerate until cold, and churn in an ice cream maker.

The New York Times - Food

Place the bowl in an ice bath to cool.

The New York Times - Magazine

Look, my gazpacho has come in an ice bowl!

The Guardian - Travel

When should adults indulge in an ice cream sundae?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Cool in an ice-water bath.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Churn in an ice-cream maker.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Its garnish is presented in an ice-filled treasure chest.

The Guardian - Travel

Lloyd got a job in an ice-cream factory.

The New Yorker

During the day, I worked in an ice-cream parlor.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to something being contained or surrounded by ice, it's generally more grammatically correct to use "in ice" or "in the ice". For example, instead of saying "The samples were stored in an ice-box", consider using "The samples were stored in ice" or "The samples were stored in the ice-box."

Common error

The indefinite article "an" is typically used before vowel sounds, not necessarily just vowels. While "ice" starts with a vowel, using "an ice" is generally incorrect. Sticking to "in ice" or "in the ice" avoids this issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in an ice" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate location or condition. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is not considered grammatically correct, although examples exist in various sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

36%

Wiki

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "in an ice" appears in various sources, including news, science, and wikis, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig AI, the correct forms are typically "in ice" or "in the ice". Though examples exist, it is advisable to use the grammatically sound alternatives such as "within ice", "surrounded by ice", or "immersed in ice" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within ice

Replaces "in an ice" with "within", suggesting containment inside ice. Focus shifts from unspecified to general.

inside ice

Uses "inside" instead of "in an", emphasizing the interior location within ice.

in the ice

Specifies a particular instance of ice, adding definiteness that was absent in "in an ice".

surrounded by ice

Describes the state of being enclosed or encircled by ice, rather than simply being 'in' it.

immersed in ice

Indicates being deeply or completely covered in ice, intensifying the sense of being enclosed.

chilled on ice

Focuses on the action of cooling something by placing it on ice.

cooled in ice

Similar to "chilled on ice" but emphasizes the resulting state of being cooled.

packed in ice

Suggests items are closely surrounded by ice, often for preservation.

preserved in ice

Highlights the action of using ice to maintain something's condition.

frozen in ice

Indicates something has become encased and hardened within ice.

FAQs

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

No, the more grammatically correct options are "in ice" or "in the ice", depending on whether you're referring to ice in general or a specific instance of ice. Using "in an ice" is generally considered incorrect.

What's the difference between "in ice" and "in the ice"?

"In ice" refers to ice in general, while "in the ice" refers to a specific body or container "of ice" that has already been mentioned or is understood in context.

Can I use "within ice" instead of "in an ice"?

Yes, "within ice" is a grammatically correct alternative that suggests something is contained inside "within ice". It emphasizes the inclusion or containment.

What are some other ways to describe something surrounded by ice?

Alternatives include "surrounded by ice", "immersed in ice", or "packed in ice", depending on the specific image you want to convey. These phrases provide more descriptive and grammatically sound options.