lump of rock

USAGE SUMMARY

"lump of rock" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a mass of rock. For example, "She stumbled upon a large lump of rock while walking through the forest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"The Fastnet is just a lump of rock.

The New York Times - Sports

Her husband actually is a large lump of rock.

The Guardian - Arts

THIS may look like a nondescript lump of rock, but it is, in fact, a sunstone.

The Economist

It's like a lump of rock shot with a few veins of gold.

The New York Times - Arts

CONTROVERSY has dogged the definition of Pluto as a planet almost since the lump of rock was discovered in 1930.

The Economist

Here the team attack the German coast, flying out of a cave on a deserted lump of rock.

The Guardian - Books

They are made by heating a suitable lump of rock in a fire, and then bashing it, in order to flake pieces off its surface.

The Economist

It lay inside a squarish grey lump of rock known as ALH 84001, a meteorite picked up in 1984 in the Allen Hills of Antarctica.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Several lumps of rock occupy the floor in one space.

The Guardian - Arts

Did the kings haul up the lumps of rock?

The Guardian - Arts

They're just talking about lumps of rock.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lump of rock" to describe something unshaped, basic, or unremarkable in its rocky nature. It effectively conveys a sense of crude materiality.

Common error

Avoid using "lump of rock" in highly formal or scientific writing where more precise geological terms (e.g., "specimen", "outcrop") would be more appropriate. While grammatically sound, its informal tone may detract from the overall professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lump of rock" primarily functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object in a sentence. It is used to describe a physical object composed of rock material. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lump of rock" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a mass of rock. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and offers numerous examples from reliable sources, primarily in news and media contexts. While its informal tone makes it suitable for general use, more precise terminology may be preferable in formal or scientific writing. Consider alternatives like "rock mass" or "stone fragment" for nuanced contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rock mass

Reverses the structure for a more formal tone.

mass of stone

Replaces "rock" with "stone" and "lump" with "mass", conveying a more geological or scientific feel.

rock fragment

Similar to "stone fragment", but retains the more generic term "rock".

stone fragment

Emphasizes the broken or smaller nature of the rock.

piece of stone

Uses "stone" instead of "rock", implying a refined or worked material.

stone block

Suggests a quarried or shaped piece of rock.

rock formation

Refers to a naturally occurring arrangement of rock.

rocky deposit

Indicates a geological accumulation of rocks.

outcropping of rock

Refers to a visible exposure of bedrock at the surface.

stone deposit

Similar to 'rocky deposit', but emphasizes the mineral composition.

FAQs

How can I use "lump of rock" in a sentence?

You can use "lump of rock" to describe a crude or unrefined piece of rock. For example, "The sculptor started with a rough "lump of rock" to create his masterpiece."

What's the difference between "lump of rock" and "rock formation"?

"Lump of rock" generally refers to an individual, unshaped mass, while "rock formation" describes a larger, naturally occurring arrangement of rocks. It indicates a geological accumulation of rocks.

What can I say instead of "lump of rock" to sound more scientific?

To sound more scientific, you could use alternatives such as "rock fragment", "stone block", or "mass of stone", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "lump of rock" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "lump of rock" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, consider using more precise or technical terms like "stone deposit" or "rock mass".