piece of stone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "piece of stone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a small fragment or portion of stone, often in contexts related to geology, construction, or art. Example: "The artist carefully selected a piece of stone to carve into a beautiful sculpture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

(source) Tablet Then: "a flat piece of stone, clay, or wood that has writing on it".

Independent

Each piece of stone was quarried, then cut and configured in Italy.

The New York Times

Life is temporary, but this piece of stone can speak across the time and space of centuries.

The New York Times - Magazine

It may be constructed of a single piece of stone or wood or built up of units, such as bricks.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Slab, In architecture, a flat, monolithic piece of stone or concrete used for a floor or roof.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nearby, a slender piece of stone – all that is left of the cathedral's twin towers – reaches into the sky.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Bramfield, the village he lived in, held an iconic work for him: Nicholas Stone's 1627 tomb of Mrs Coke, to which he was first led by Prynne when they returned from Tuscany and Roger complained that he would never see a good piece of stone-carving again.

The Guardian - Books

"You could walk past those pieces of stone and think they were just pieces of stone," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

The pièce de résistance of that 1995 project is a map of New York City rendered in 1.8 million pieces of stone.

The New York Times

And weeping scalding tears that as they hit the ground fossilised and became glittering pieces of stone!

The Guardian - Travel

Assembled gem, cut jewel manufactured from two or three pieces of stone that are cemented together to create a larger stone with increased value.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing artwork or historical artifacts, use "piece of stone" to convey the tangible, physical nature of the material. For example, "The archaeologist carefully examined the piece of stone for inscriptions."

Common error

Avoid using "piece of stone" metaphorically when a more appropriate abstract term like "element", "component", or "aspect" would better suit the intended meaning. For example, don't say "His stubbornness was a piece of stone in their relationship" instead consider "His stubbornness was a barrier in their relationship".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "piece of stone" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence, referring to a physical fragment or portion of rock material. As indicated by Ludwig, its usage is grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "piece of stone" is a grammatically correct and versatile noun phrase commonly used to describe a fragment or portion of rock material. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in various contexts, from descriptive narratives and artistic representations to scientific and historical accounts. Its frequency is very common, particularly in News & Media. While its register is typically neutral, writers should be mindful of choosing more suitable abstract terms when the intended meaning is metaphorical rather than literal. Alternatives include "stone fragment", "rock shard", and "stone sliver", each offering subtle nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stone fragment

Emphasizes the broken or detached nature of the stone.

rock shard

Implies a sharp, broken piece of rock, often resulting from fracturing.

stone sliver

Suggests a thin, narrow piece of stone.

chunk of rock

Highlights a roughly hewn or broken piece of rock, often larger in size.

stone chip

Refers to a small piece broken off from a larger stone.

rock particle

Indicates a very small, granular piece of rock.

stone remnant

Emphasizes that the piece of stone is a remaining part of something larger.

segment of stone

Describes the fragment as a section or division of a larger stone mass.

stone offcut

Implies that the piece is a result of stone cutting or shaping processes.

quarry fragment

Highlights that the "piece of stone" originates from quarrying activities.

FAQs

How can I use "piece of stone" in a sentence?

You can use "piece of stone" to describe a physical fragment of rock, such as "The sculptor selected a unique "piece of stone" for their work" or "A small "piece of stone" was dislodged from the ancient wall".

What are some alternatives to "piece of stone"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "stone fragment", "rock shard", or "stone sliver".

Is it ever incorrect to use "piece of stone"?

While grammatically correct, using "piece of stone" in abstract or metaphorical contexts where a more suitable term exists might be less effective. Consider whether words like "element", "component", or "aspect" could provide clearer meaning.

What is the difference between "piece of stone" and "chunk of stone"?

"Piece of stone" is a general term. "Chunk of stone" implies a larger, more roughly broken or hewn fragment.