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A2 noun #49 最常用 11分钟阅读

stone

前49

开始练习例句笔记与提示 stone 30秒了解

解析 stone in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'stone' is a very simple word. It means a small, hard thing you find on the ground outside. You might see a stone in a park or on a beach. It is something you can pick up with your hand. For example, 'I see a small stone.' At this level, we focus on the physical object. You might also learn that big buildings can be made of stone. It is a basic noun that helps you describe nature and the world around you. You don't need to worry about idioms yet, just the physical object.

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At the A2 level, you start to use 'stone' in more ways. You learn that it can be a material for building, like 'a stone wall.' You also learn that it is used in common phrases. For example, you might hear 'a stone's throw away' to mean something is very close. You also learn about 'precious stones' like diamonds. At this level, you should know the difference between 'a stone' (one object) and 'stone' (the material). You might also see it in the context of history, like the 'Stone Age.'

At the B1 level, you use 'stone' more naturally in conversation and writing. You understand more idioms, such as 'to kill two birds with one stone.' You also learn that 'stone' can describe a person's character, like having a 'heart of stone.' You begin to see the word in medical contexts, like 'kidney stones.' You are more comfortable using 'stone' as an adjective in compound nouns like 'stone-faced.' You also understand the British use of 'stone' as a unit of weight for people.

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At the B2 level, you understand the subtle differences between 'stone' and 'rock.' You know that 'stone' often implies something that has been worked by humans or is smaller and more refined. You can use 'stone' in more complex metaphorical ways, such as saying a plan is 'set in stone.' You are familiar with more advanced vocabulary related to stone, like 'masonry' or 'geological.' You can discuss the environmental impact of 'stone quarrying' or the architectural significance of 'stone masonry' in historical buildings.

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At the C1 level, you have a sophisticated grasp of the word. You can use it in literary contexts to evoke specific imagery. You understand historical and archaeological terms like 'lithic' or 'megalith.' You can appreciate the nuances of 'stone' in legal or formal language, such as 'the foundation stone' of an organization. You are aware of the cultural and religious significance of stones in various traditions, such as the 'Stone of Destiny.' Your use of idioms is flawless and you can even play with the word in puns or creative writing.

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At the C2 level, you understand the deepest philosophical and metaphorical uses of 'stone.' You might discuss the 'stony silence' in a high-stakes negotiation or the 'monolithic' nature of a large corporation. You can analyze the use of stone imagery in poetry and classical literature. You are familiar with very specific technical terms in geology, gemology, and architecture. You understand the word's etymological roots and how it has evolved over centuries. You can use the word with absolute precision to convey exact shades of meaning in any context.

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开始练习例句笔记与提示

stone 30秒了解

Stone is a versatile noun referring to hard mineral matter, used both for small individual objects and as a durable building material in construction.
It appears in many common English idioms like 'set in stone' or 'a stone's throw,' often symbolizing permanence, coldness, or close proximity.
In British English, 'stone' serves as a specific unit of weight (14 pounds), while in botany, it refers to the hard pit of a fruit.
Grammatically, it can be countable (a stone) or uncountable (made of stone), and it is often confused with the broader term 'rock'.

The word stone is a fundamental noun in the English language, primarily referring to the hard, solid, non-metallic mineral matter that makes up the Earth's crust. At its most basic level, it is what we find beneath our feet in nature—ranging from tiny pebbles on a beach to massive boulders on a mountainside. In daily life, we use this word to describe both the material itself and individual pieces of that material. For instance, you might see a wall made of stone (the material) or pick up a small stone (the object) to skip across a pond. Its usage spans from the literal, physical world of construction and geology to deep metaphorical meanings involving permanence, coldness, or strength.

Physical Object: A small, individual piece of rock. 'She found a smooth stone by the river.'
Building Material: The substance used for construction. 'The ancient cathedral was built entirely of grey stone.'
Gemstone: A precious or semi-precious mineral used in jewelry. 'The ring was set with a beautiful blue stone.'

The hikers followed a path marked by small piles of stone to ensure they didn't get lost in the fog.

Beyond the physical, 'stone' carries a weight of symbolism. Because stone is one of the most durable materials on Earth, it often represents things that do not change. When we say something is 'set in stone,' we mean it is permanent and unalterable. Conversely, because stone is cold and unresponsive, it can describe human emotions—or the lack thereof. A person with a 'heart of stone' is seen as cold, unfeeling, and lacking empathy. This duality makes 'stone' a versatile tool for both poets and engineers alike. Whether discussing the 'Stone Age' of human history or the 'stones' used in a modern kitchen countertop, the word anchors us to the physical reality of our planet.

The sculptor chipped away at the block of stone until a face began to emerge.

Geological Context: Used to describe types of rock like limestone, sandstone, or granite. 'The cliffs are made of sedimentary stone.'

In social contexts, 'stone' appears in many proverbs. 'People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones' warns us not to criticize others for faults we also possess. This highlights how the word is used to represent an attack or a judgment. In jewelry, the 'stone' is the centerpiece, the most valuable part of the ornament. Whether it is a diamond or a simple river rock, the word implies a sense of solidity and presence that few other words can match. It is a word that feels heavy, literally and figuratively, grounding our language in the ancient history of the Earth itself.

The old bridge was made of heavy stone blocks that had survived for centuries.

Using the word stone correctly requires understanding its dual nature as both a countable and an uncountable noun. This distinction changes based on whether you are talking about a specific object or the material in general. If you are describing a single item you can pick up, you use it as a countable noun. For example, 'I found a stone in my shoe.' However, when talking about the substance used in architecture or nature, it becomes uncountable. You would say, 'The castle is made of stone,' not 'made of stones,' unless you are specifically emphasizing the individual blocks.

Countable Usage: Referring to individual pieces. 'The children were throwing stones into the lake.'
Uncountable Usage: Referring to the material. 'Stone is a very durable building material.'

The garden path was lined with smooth white stones that glowed in the moonlight.

Adjectives often accompany 'stone' to provide more detail about its texture, color, or origin. Common descriptors include 'rough,' 'smooth,' 'precious,' 'jagged,' or 'weathered.' When describing jewelry, 'stone' is often preceded by the type of mineral, such as 'a ruby stone' or 'a semi-precious stone.' In a more abstract sense, 'stone' can act as an adjective itself in compound nouns, like 'stone wall,' 'stone floor,' or 'stone carving.' In these cases, it describes what the object is made of.

He had a stone cold expression on his face during the entire meeting.

In idiomatic English, 'stone' is frequently used to intensify adjectives. Phrases like 'stone deaf' or 'stone cold' use the noun to suggest a total or absolute state—as deaf as a stone, or as cold as a stone. This usage is informal but very common. Additionally, the word appears in many phrasal verbs and expressions related to effort and discovery, such as 'to leave no stone unturned,' which means to try every possible way to achieve something. Understanding these nuances allows a learner to move from basic descriptions to sophisticated, native-like expression.

As an Intensive: 'The radiator was stone cold by morning.'
In Idioms: 'The news came as a total shock; it hit me like a ton of stones.'

The architect chose a dark volcanic stone for the exterior of the museum.

You will encounter the word stone in a wide variety of real-world settings, from the most technical scientific discussions to casual everyday conversations. In the world of construction and interior design, it is a high-frequency word. Real estate agents might highlight 'stone countertops' or 'stone fireplaces' as luxury features. Architects discuss the 'structural integrity of the stone' or the 'porosity of the stone' when planning buildings. If you visit a hardware store or a landscaping center, you will hear people asking for 'crushed stone' for driveways or 'stepping stones' for gardens.

Home & Design: 'We decided to install a natural stone backsplash in the kitchen.'
History & Archaeology: 'The museum features several stone tools from the Neolithic period.'

The guide pointed out the ancient stone carvings that decorated the temple entrance.

In history and education, 'stone' is a key term for periodization. Students learn about the 'Stone Age,' the earliest period of human culture characterized by the use of stone tools. In literature and mythology, stones often hold magical properties or symbolic weight—think of the 'Philosopher's Stone' in alchemy or the 'Sword in the Stone' in Arthurian legends. In these contexts, the word evokes a sense of ancient mystery and foundational power. You'll also hear it in medical contexts, though perhaps less pleasantly, when doctors discuss 'kidney stones' or 'gallstones,' which are hard mineral deposits formed inside the body.

The jeweler examined the stone under a magnifying glass to check for flaws.

Finally, in casual conversation, 'stone' is a staple of metaphors and idioms. You might hear someone say they are 'a stone's throw away' from a location, meaning they are very close. Or, if someone is being very quiet or still, they might be described as 'still as a stone.' In the music world, the 'Rolling Stones' are one of the most famous bands in history, their name itself a reference to the proverb 'a rolling stone gathers no moss.' From the gravel under a car's tires to the diamond on a finger, 'stone' is a word that permeates almost every aspect of human experience and communication.

Medical Terminology: 'He had to go to the hospital because of a painful kidney stone.'
Distance Metaphor: 'The grocery store is just a stone's throw from my apartment.'

The shoreline was covered in smooth, colorful stones washed up by the tide.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing stone with rock. While they are often interchangeable, they have distinct nuances. 'Rock' is generally used for large, natural masses or the raw material in its natural state (e.g., 'the rocky mountains'). 'Stone' is typically used for smaller pieces, or for material that has been shaped, cut, or used by humans (e.g., 'a stone wall'). You wouldn't usually say 'I have a rock in my shoe' unless it was quite large; 'stone' is the more natural choice for small debris.

Stone vs. Rock: Use 'stone' for small pieces or building materials. Use 'rock' for large formations or the substance in nature.
Pluralization Error: Avoid saying 'a house made of stones' when you mean the material. Use the uncountable 'made of stone.'

Incorrect: The castle was built with many stones. Correct: The castle was built of stone.

Another common error involves the use of 'stone' as a unit of measurement. This is specific to British English and can be very confusing for those using American English or the metric system. If someone says they weigh 'ten stone,' they are using 'stone' as a plural unit (like 'ten sheep'). Saying 'ten stones' in this context would be incorrect. Furthermore, learners often forget that 'stone' can also refer to the hard pit inside certain fruits, like peaches or plums. In American English, these are often called 'pits,' but in British English, they are 'stones.' Calling a peach pit a 'seed' is common but technically less precise in many English-speaking regions.

Be careful not to bite the stone in the middle of the cherry.

Finally, learners sometimes misapply idioms. For example, 'killing two birds with one stone' is a very common idiom, but changing the bird or the stone to something else (like 'killing two flies with one rock') makes the phrase lose its idiomatic power and sound strange to native speakers. Precision in these fixed expressions is key. Similarly, 'set in stone' is used for rules or plans; using it for physical objects that are literally in stone is redundant and misses the metaphorical point. Paying attention to whether the context is literal, metaphorical, or a specific unit of measure will help avoid these pitfalls.

Fruit Terminology: In many regions, the hard center of a peach is a 'stone,' not just a 'seed.'
Idiomatic Precision: Always use 'stone' in 'set in stone,' never 'rock' or 'brick.'

The dates for the exam are not yet set in stone, so they might change.

While stone is a very general term, English has many specific words that describe different types, sizes, and uses of mineral matter. Choosing the right alternative can make your writing much more descriptive and precise. For example, if you are talking about a very small, rounded stone found on a beach, pebble is a much better choice. If you are describing a large, heavy stone that has been rounded by water or weather, boulder conveys that scale much more effectively than 'big stone' would.

Pebble: A small, smooth, rounded stone. 'The beach was covered in colorful pebbles.'
Boulder: A very large, typically rounded rock. 'A massive boulder blocked the mountain road.'
Gravel: A collection of small, loose stones, often used for paths. 'The car crunched over the gravel driveway.'

Instead of just saying 'stone,' the author used the word flint to describe the sharp material used to start the fire.

In technical or geological contexts, you might use the word rock to refer to the substance in its natural, unworked state. In construction, masonry refers to the craft of building with stone, and slab refers to a large, flat, thin piece of stone used for floors or counters. If you are talking about valuable stones used in jewelry, gem or jewel are the appropriate terms. These words carry a connotation of beauty and high value that 'stone' alone does not always provide. Even the word cobblestone has a specific meaning—a naturally rounded stone used for paving old-fashioned streets.

The ancient ruins were made of massive monoliths, a word for single, very large stones.

Understanding these synonyms helps in both comprehension and expression. If you read about a 'crag,' you know it refers to a steep, rugged cliff of rock. If someone mentions 'shale,' they are talking about a specific type of soft, layered stone. By expanding your vocabulary beyond the basic word 'stone,' you can describe the world with much more color and accuracy. Whether it's the 'grit' in your eye or the 'granite' of a countertop, each word provides a specific texture to the general concept of mineral matter.

Gemstone: A precious stone like a diamond or emerald. 'She inherited a ring with a rare gemstone.'
Slab: A large, flat piece of stone. 'The kitchen island was topped with a single slab of marble.'

The path was made of slate, a dark, flat stone that splits easily into layers.

How Formal Is It?

趣味小知识

The word 'stone' has been used in English for over a thousand years with very little change in its basic meaning.

发音指南

UK /stəʊn/

US /stoʊn/

Single syllable; stress is on the entire word.

押韵词

bone cone lone phone zone clone throne shone

常见错误

Pronouncing the 'e' at the end (it is silent).
Using a short 'o' sound like in 'stop'.
Confusing it with 'stolen'.
Missing the 't' sound after the 's'.
Nasalizing the 'o' too much.

难度评级

阅读 2/5

The word is easy to recognize, but idioms can be tricky.

写作 2/5

Simple to spell, but requires knowledge of countability rules.

口语 1/5

Very common and easy to pronounce.

听力 1/5

Distinct sound that is usually easy to hear.

接下来学什么

前置知识

rock hard earth ground wall

接下来学习

mineral geology precious masonry boulder

高级

lithography monolithic lapidary petrified sedimentary

需要掌握的语法

Countable vs. Uncountable Nouns

I have three stones (countable) vs. The wall is made of stone (uncountable).

Compound Nouns

Stone wall, stone floor, stone carving.

Idiomatic Expressions

Using 'stone' in fixed phrases like 'set in stone'.

Adjectives from Nouns

Turning 'stone' into 'stony' to describe a look or a path.

Units of Measure (UK)

Using 'stone' as a plural unit: 'He weighs 11 stone'.

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按水平分级的例句

I found a small stone on the beach.

J'ai trouvé une petite pierre sur la plage.

Countable noun: 'a stone'.

The stone is grey and hard.

La pierre est grise et dure.

Subject + is + adjective.

Look at that big stone!

Regarde cette grosse pierre !

Exclamatory sentence.

He threw a stone into the water.

Il a jeté une pierre dans l'eau.

Past tense of 'throw'.

There are many stones in the garden.

Il y a beaucoup de pierres dans le jardin.

Plural: 'stones'.

Is this a stone?

Est-ce une pierre ?

Question form.

The house is made of stone.

La maison est en pierre.

Uncountable: 'made of stone'.

Put the stone on the table.

Pose la pierre sur la table.

Imperative sentence.

The old wall is made of heavy stone.

Le vieux mur est fait de pierre lourde.

Uncountable material usage.

She has a beautiful stone in her ring.

Elle a une belle pierre sur sa bague.

Referring to a gemstone.

My house is just a stone's throw from the school.

Ma maison est à un jet de pierre de l'école.

Idiom: 'a stone's throw away'.

The path is covered with small white stones.

Le chemin est couvert de petites pierres blanches.

Plural countable noun.

Don't step on the sharp stones.

Ne marche pas sur les pierres coupantes.

Negative imperative.

The Stone Age was a long time ago.

L'âge de pierre, c'était il y a longtemps.

Proper noun phrase.

He found a stone with a hole in it.

Il a trouvé une pierre avec un trou dedans.

Prepositional phrase 'with a hole in it'.

We used flat stones to cross the river.

Nous avons utilisé des pierres plates pour traverser la rivière.

Adjective 'flat' modifying 'stones'.

We can kill two birds with one stone by going to the bank on our way to the shop.

On peut faire d'une pierre deux coups en allant à la banque sur le chemin du magasin.

Common idiom.

He has a heart of stone and never shows any emotion.

Il a un cœur de pierre et ne montre jamais d'émotion.

Metaphorical usage.

The doctor said I have a small kidney stone.

Le médecin a dit que j'avais un petit calcul rénal.

Medical context.

The decision is not yet set in stone.

La décision n'est pas encore gravée dans le marbre.

Idiom: 'set in stone'.

She weighs about nine stone.

Elle pèse environ neuf stone.

British unit of weight (plural is 'stone').

The sculptor worked on the block of stone for months.

Le sculpteur a travaillé sur le bloc de pierre pendant des mois.

Material noun.

The castle was a massive stone fortress.

Le château était une massive forteresse de pierre.

Compound noun 'stone fortress'.

He sat there, stone-faced, as they told him the news.

Il est resté là, le visage de marbre, pendant qu'ils lui annonçaient la nouvelle.

Compound adjective 'stone-faced'.

The ancient monument was constructed from local limestone.

Le monument antique a été construit à partir de calcaire local.

Specific type of stone.

The project was a stepping stone to her future career.

Le projet était un tremplin pour sa future carrière.

Metaphorical 'stepping stone'.

They left no stone unturned in their search for the truth.

Ils n'ont négligé aucune piste dans leur recherche de la vérité.

Idiom: 'leave no stone unturned'.

The shoreline was a mix of sand and shingle stones.

Le rivage était un mélange de sable et de galets.

Descriptive noun 'shingle'.

The cold stone floor chilled his bare feet.

Le sol de pierre froid lui glaçait les pieds nus.

Sensory description.

The jeweler appraised the precious stone's clarity and color.

Le bijoutier a évalué la pureté et la couleur de la pierre précieuse.

Possessive form 'stone's'.

The building's facade was decorated with intricate stone carvings.

La façade du bâtiment était décorée de sculptures sur pierre complexes.

Passive voice 'was decorated'.

He was stone deaf and couldn't hear the alarm.

Il était sourd comme un pot et ne pouvait pas entendre l'alarme.

Intensive 'stone deaf'.

The monolith stood as a silent sentinel of a forgotten era.

Le monolithe se dressait comme une sentinelle silencieuse d'une époque oubliée.

Literary personification.

The treaty was finally cast in stone after years of negotiation.

Le traité a finalement été gravé dans le marbre après des années de négociation.

Variation of 'set in stone'.

The architectural integrity of the stone masonry was remarkable.

L'intégrité architecturale de la maçonnerie en pierre était remarquable.

Technical terminology.

She had a stony expression that discouraged any further questioning.

Elle avait une expression de marbre qui décourageait toute autre question.

Adjective 'stony' derived from stone.

The philosopher's stone was the ultimate goal of medieval alchemy.

La pierre philosophale était le but ultime de l'alchimie médiévale.

Historical/Mythological reference.

The sheer scale of the stone quarry was breathtaking.

L'ampleur de la carrière de pierre était époustouflante.

Noun 'quarry'.

He felt like a rolling stone, never staying in one city for more than a month.

Il se sentait comme une pierre qui roule, ne restant jamais dans une ville plus d'un mois.

Idiomatic reference to the proverb.

The path was paved with cobblestones, making the ride quite bumpy.

Le chemin était pavé de pavés, ce qui rendait le trajet assez cahoteux.

Specific noun 'cobblestones'.

The lithic remains provided crucial evidence of early human migration.

Les restes lithiques ont fourni des preuves cruciales des premières migrations humaines.

Academic adjective 'lithic'.

His resolve was as immutable as the stone of the mountains.

Sa détermination était aussi immuable que la pierre des montagnes.

Simile for permanence.

The cathedral's flying buttresses were a triumph of stone engineering.

Les arcs-boutants de la cathédrale étaient un triomphe de l'ingénierie de la pierre.

Complex noun phrase.

The poet used the image of a stone to symbolize the weight of grief.

Le poète a utilisé l'image d'une pierre pour symboliser le poids du chagrin.

Literary analysis.

The geological strata revealed layers of sedimentary stone dating back millions of years.

Les strates géologiques ont révélé des couches de pierre sédimentaire remontant à des millions d'années.

Scientific context.

The foundation stone of the new library was laid by the mayor yesterday.

La première pierre de la nouvelle bibliothèque a été posée par le maire hier.

Symbolic/Formal usage.

There is a certain lapidary quality to his prose—short, hard, and polished.

Sa prose a une certaine qualité lapidaire : courte, dure et polie.

Advanced adjective 'lapidary'.

The sheer inertia of the bureaucracy was like trying to move a mountain of stone.

L'inertie pure de la bureaucratie était comme essayer de déplacer une montagne de pierre.

Metaphor for difficulty.

常见搭配

stone wall

precious stone

stepping stone

stone floor

kidney stone

stone carving

crushed stone

stone cold

stone deaf

foundation stone

常用短语

A stone's throw

— A very short distance away.

The beach is just a stone's throw from our hotel.

Set in stone

— Permanent and impossible to change.

The schedule isn't set in stone yet.

Heart of stone

— A cold, unfeeling nature.

He must have a heart of stone to ignore her plea.

Leave no stone unturned

— To try every possible way to find something or solve a problem.

The police left no stone unturned in their investigation.

Kill two birds with one stone

— To achieve two things with a single action.

I'll kill two birds with one stone and drop you off on my way to work.

Cast the first stone

— To be the first to criticize someone.

Who are you to cast the first stone?

Blood from a stone

— Something that is very difficult to get from someone.

Getting an apology from him is like getting blood from a stone.

A rolling stone gathers no moss

— A person who does not settle in one place will not accumulate wealth or responsibilities.

He's a rolling stone, always moving from city to city.

Stone-faced

— Showing no emotion on one's face.

She remained stone-faced throughout the trial.

Sticks and stones

— Part of a rhyme saying that physical things hurt but words do not.

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.

容易混淆的词

stone vs rock

Rock is usually larger and more natural; stone is often smaller or worked.

stone vs brick

Bricks are man-made from clay; stones are natural mineral matter.

stone vs stolen

A common pronunciation error for learners.

习语与表达

"To be stone broke"

— To have absolutely no money at all.

After the holidays, I was stone broke.

informal

"Written in stone"

— Fixed and unchangeable (similar to set in stone).

These rules are not written in stone.

neutral

"To stone someone"

— To throw stones at someone as a punishment.

In ancient times, people were sometimes stoned for their crimes.

historical

"A stone's cast"

— An older version of 'a stone's throw'.

The village was but a stone's cast away.

literary

"To have a stone in one's shoe"

— To have a persistent, small annoyance.

This constant complaining is like having a stone in my shoe.

metaphorical

"Like a stone"

— Very quickly or heavily (often used with 'sink').

The anchor sank like a stone.

neutral

"Stone me!"

— An expression of great surprise.

Stone me! I never thought I'd see you here.

British informal

"To be a stepping stone"

— To be a stage in a process that helps you reach a goal.

This internship is a stepping stone to a full-time job.

neutral

"Cold as a stone"

— Completely lacking in warmth or emotion.

Her hands were as cold as a stone.

neutral

"To mark with a white stone"

— To regard a day or event as particularly fortunate.

The day of their meeting was marked with a white stone.

archaic

容易混淆

stone vs rock

They both refer to mineral matter.

Rock is the raw material or large mass; stone is a piece of it or a building material.

The mountain is made of rock, but the house is built of stone.

stone vs pebble

Both are small stones.

A pebble is specifically small, smooth, and rounded by water.

I found a smooth pebble on the beach.

stone vs boulder

Both are types of rock/stone.

A boulder is a very large, heavy stone.

The giant boulder fell from the cliff.

stone vs gem

Gems are stones.

A gem is a precious stone used for decoration.

The ruby is a beautiful red gem.

stone vs gravel

Gravel is made of stones.

Gravel is a collection of many small, loose stones.

The car drove over the gravel.

句型

I have a [adjective] stone.

I have a small stone.

The [noun] is made of stone.

The wall is made of stone.

It is just a stone's throw from [place].

It is just a stone's throw from the park.

The [plan/rule] is not set in stone.

The meeting time is not set in stone.

He sat there, [adjective]-faced, as...

He sat there, stone-faced, as the verdict was read.

The [noun] served as a stepping stone to...

The failure served as a stepping stone to his eventual success.

There are [number] stones in the [place].

There are five stones in the box.

He has a heart of stone.

The villain in the story has a heart of stone.

词族

名词

stone

stoneware

stonework

stonemason

stoniness

动词

stone

stonewall

形容词

stony

stoneless

stone-faced

如何使用

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written English.

常见错误

The house is made of stones. → The house is made of stone.
When referring to building material, 'stone' is uncountable.
I have a rock in my shoe. → I have a stone in my shoe.
Small pieces of mineral matter are usually called 'stones,' while 'rocks' are larger.
He weighs 12 stones. → He weighs 12 stone.
In the UK weight system, 'stone' is the plural form.
The plan is set in rock. → The plan is set in stone.
The idiom is specifically 'set in stone.'
I ate the peach seed. → I removed the peach stone.
In many English dialects, the hard center of a fruit is called a 'stone.'

小贴士

Material vs. Object

Remember to use 'stone' without an 's' when talking about building material. 'The wall is made of stone' is more natural than 'made of stones'.

Jewelry Context

In jewelry, 'stone' almost always refers to a gemstone. You can say 'the stone in her ring' to mean the diamond or ruby.

Two Birds

The idiom 'kill two birds with one stone' is a great way to describe efficiency. Use it when you do one thing that solves two problems.

British Weight

If you are in the UK and someone says they weigh '12 stone,' don't be confused. Just multiply by 14 to get the weight in pounds.

Plural of Weight

When using 'stone' as a unit of weight, the plural is also 'stone.' For example: 'He weighs ten stone,' not 'ten stones'.

Heart of Stone

Use 'heart of stone' to describe a character in a story who is very mean or cold. It's a very common literary device.

Silent E

The 'e' at the end of 'stone' is silent, but it changes the 'o' into a long sound. Without the 'e', it would be 'ston' (not a word).

Pebble vs. Stone

Use 'pebble' if the stone is very small and smooth. It makes your description much more vivid.

Stone Age

When talking about history, 'Stone Age' is always capitalized. It refers to a specific period of human development.

Health Terms

In a medical context, 'stone' is often used for 'calculus.' Kidney stones and gallstones are the most common examples.

记住它

记忆技巧

S-T-O-N-E: Solid Thing On Nature's Earth.

视觉联想

Imagine a heavy grey stone sitting in the palm of your hand, feeling its coldness and weight.

Word Web

rock hard heavy wall gem mountain pebble grey

挑战

Try to find five things in your house made of stone and name them in English.

词源

Derived from the Old English word 'stan', which has Germanic roots.

原始含义： A piece of rock or a specific rock formation.

Indo-European (Germanic branch).

文化背景

Be aware that 'stoning' refers to a form of execution in some historical and modern contexts, which is a sensitive topic.

In the UK, 'stone' is a standard unit for body weight, which can be very confusing for Americans.

Stonehenge (prehistoric monument) The Rolling Stones (rock band) Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

在生活中练习

真实语境

Construction

stone wall
stone foundation
natural stone
stone cladding

Nature

river stone
smooth stone
jagged stone
stone path

Jewelry

precious stone
birthstone
set the stone
gemstone

Medical

kidney stone
gallstone
pass a stone
stone removal

Idiomatic

set in stone
stone's throw
heart of stone
kill two birds

对话开场白

"Have you ever found a beautiful stone while walking on the beach?"

"Do you prefer houses made of wood or houses made of stone?"

"Is there a famous stone monument in your country that tourists visit?"

"What do you think of when someone says they have a 'heart of stone'?"

"Have you ever tried to skip stones across a lake or a river?"

日记主题

Describe a stone that you have kept as a souvenir. Why is it special to you?

If you could build a house out of any type of stone, what would it look like?

Write about a time you felt like something in your life was 'set in stone' but then it changed.

Imagine you are a stone that has been on Earth for millions of years. What have you seen?

Discuss the pros and cons of using stone as a building material compared to modern materials.

常见问题

10 个问题

In general, 'rock' refers to the material in its natural, large-scale state (like a mountain), while 'stone' refers to smaller pieces or material that has been used for a purpose (like a stone wall). However, they are often used interchangeably in casual speech.

It is both. It is countable when referring to individual pieces ('three stones') and uncountable when referring to the material ('a house made of stone').

It means that something is permanent and cannot be changed. For example, 'The dates for the trip are not set in stone' means the dates might change.

In the British system, one stone is equal to 14 pounds or approximately 6.35 kilograms. It is mostly used to measure human body weight.

A precious stone is a rare and highly valued mineral, such as a diamond, ruby, sapphire, or emerald, typically used in jewelry.

Yes, as a verb, 'to stone' can mean to throw stones at someone (historically as a punishment) or to remove the stone (pit) from a fruit like a cherry or peach.

The Stone Age was a broad prehistoric period during which stone was widely used to make implements with an edge, a point, or a percussion surface.

It is an idiom meaning a very short distance. If something is 'a stone's throw away,' it is very close by.

A kidney stone is a hard mass formed in the kidneys from minerals in the urine. It can be very painful when it passes through the body.

In many varieties of English, the hard, wood-like center of fruits like peaches, plums, and cherries is called a stone because of its hardness.

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