A slice of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A slice of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a portion or piece of something, often food, but can also be used metaphorically for experiences or concepts. Example: "I would like a slice of pizza, please."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A slice of two-layer cake.

The New Yorker

A slice of Junior's cheesecake?

The New York Times

A slice of Scotch or kidney pie?

The New York Times

A slice of pizza!

Vice

A slice of apple pie is $4.95.

Los Angeles Times

A slice of pizza, of course.

Vice

A slice of plain toast.

WikiHow

A slice of bread works great!

WikiHow

Or a slice of prosciutto?

The New York Times - Food

Nepal wants a slice of that.

The Economist

I threw in a slice of lemon.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a slice of" when referring to a literal piece of food or to convey a sense of something being a small representation of a larger whole. For example, "a slice of life" represents a small sample of everyday experiences.

Common error

Avoid overusing "a slice of" in metaphorical contexts where other phrases like "aspect of" or "element of" might be more precise. Overuse can diminish the impact and clarity of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slice of" primarily functions as a determiner followed by a noun, often modifying a noun to indicate a portion or part. It can refer to concrete objects (e.g. "a slice of pizza") or abstract concepts (e.g. "a slice of life"). Ludwig confirms its common and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a slice of" is a versatile expression used to denote a portion or segment of something, be it tangible or abstract. As Ludwig confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it's very common across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, you can use "a slice of" to depict parts of a whole, like "a slice of pizza" or "a slice of life". Remember to avoid overusing it in contexts where more precise alternatives might be appropriate. The phrase enjoys a neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal communication. Related phrases include "a piece of" and "a segment of". Ludwig's analysis shows this to be a correct and usable phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A piece of

Refers to a portion or part of something, similar to "a slice of" but more general.

A segment of

Implies a distinct section or part of something, often used in a more formal context.

A portion of

Indicates a specific quantity or share of something, emphasizing allocation.

A share of

Suggests a part or allotment that belongs to someone or something.

A fraction of

Represents a small or incomplete part of a whole.

A chunk of

Indicates a substantial piece or segment, often used for larger portions.

A part of

A more generic term for a piece, component, or element of a whole.

A segment from

Highlights the act of separating or extracting a portion from a larger entity.

A bit of

Refers to a small amount or piece, implying something minimal.

An excerpt from

Specifically refers to a selected passage or quotation from a text or work.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slice of" to refer to a physical piece of something, like "a slice of pizza", or metaphorically, like "a slice of life" to represent a portion of experiences.

What can I say instead of "a slice of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a piece of", "a segment of", or "a portion of".

Is it correct to use "a slice of" when referring to abstract concepts?

Yes, it's correct to use "a slice of" metaphorically to represent a small part or aspect of an abstract concept, such as "a slice of history" or "a slice of the market".

What's the difference between "a slice of" and "a share of"?

"A slice of" generally refers to a physical piece or a representation of something, while "a share of" usually implies a portion that's been allocated or that belongs to someone or something. For example, "a slice of cake" versus "a share of the profits".