in shapes of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in shapes of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the general shape of an object. For example, "The sculpture was carved in shapes of various animals."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

The character of an agent or the clear desires of a firm or consumer in a market are sketched out to us in shapes of mathematics.

The Guardian

In another life, he was from Somalia Where he spent hours watching clouds In shapes of feral acrobats tipping along their tightropes Spun of camels' hair and jute.

The New Yorker

"When death strikes down the young," Charles Dickens wrote in "The Old Curiosity Shop," "a hundred virtues rise, in shapes of mercy, charity, and love, to walk the world, and bless it".

The New Yorker

Let all who prate of Beauty hold their peace, And lay them prone upon the earth and cease To ponder on themselves, the while they stare At nothing, intricately drawn nowhere In shapes of shifting lineage.... "She is merging Euclid's mathematical vision with her own aesthetic vision in a way that is totally unprecedented and totally unique," he said.

The New York Times - Books

In addition, Talukdar found out that GONRs came in shapes of rectangular sheets, and GONPs had disk-like morphology.

Nano Convergence

First, graphene is an allotrope of carbon molecules that comes in shapes of two-dimensional, atomic-scale, honey-comb lattice.

Nano Convergence

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

These cells were round, oval, spindle-shaped, or irregular in shape, of varying sizes.

BMC Veterinary Research

Although every system sounded different, a common link could be found in shape of the Matamp.

The Guardian - Music

(d) 0015 UT: change in shape of MCC.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

Figure 5 Structured model of aggregate in shape of hexagon with directions of polarization respecting the shape.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Figure 3 Structured model of aggregate in shape of circle with directions of polarization respecting the shape.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in shapes of" when describing the variety of forms something can take. For example, "The clouds drifted by in shapes of animals and faces."

Common error

Avoid using "in shape of" when you intend to describe multiple forms. "Shape" (singular) implies a single form, while "shapes" (plural) indicates a variety. For example, it's correct to say "cookies baked in shapes of skulls", not "cookies baked in shape of skulls".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in shapes of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb by specifying the forms or outlines something takes. Ludwig AI indicates that is a correct form. For example, “clouds in shapes of animals”.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in shapes of" is a prepositional phrase used to describe the various forms or outlines something can take. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the expression. It appears frequently in scientific and news contexts, as well as in more informal writing. When using the phrase, ensure you are describing multiple forms and not a single shape. Alternative phrases include "in the form of" and "shaped like", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember, using "in shape of" is only appropriate when referencing a singular, general shape. Examples from authoritative sources like The New Yorker and The New York Times demonstrate its versatile application across different subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the form of

Replaces "shapes" with the singular "form", slightly altering the emphasis from multiple shapes to a singular form.

shaped like

Uses a verb construction to describe the shape, offering a more direct comparison.

having the appearance of

More formal and descriptive, emphasizing the visual aspect.

in the guise of

Implies a deceptive appearance, where the shape is a facade or disguise.

resembling the figure of

More elaborate way of saying something looks like something else.

with the contours of

Focuses on the outline or external boundaries.

in configurations of

Highlights the arrangement of elements to create a particular shape.

in the mold of

Suggests something is created or patterned after a specific shape.

displaying the geometry of

Emphasizes the geometric properties present in the shapes.

exhibiting the structure of

Points out the underlying structure that determines the shapes.

FAQs

How can I use "in shapes of" in a sentence?

Use "in shapes of" to describe that something exists or appears in multiple different forms. For instance, "The children made cookies "in shapes of" stars and trees."

What are some alternatives to "in shapes of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "in the form of", "shaped like", or "having the appearance of".

Is it correct to say "in shape of" instead of "in shapes of"?

No, "in shape of" is grammatically incorrect when referring to multiple forms. Use "in shape of" only when referring to a singular, general shape. For example, "The sculpture was "in the shape of" a sphere."

What's the difference between "in shapes of" and "in the shape of"?

"In shapes of" refers to various different forms, whereas ""in the shape of"" specifies a single, particular form. For example, "The clouds formed "in shapes of" animals", versus "The cloud was "in the shape of" a heart".