a bag of chips

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bag of chips" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a packaged snack food, typically made from potatoes, that is sold in a bag. Example: "For the movie night, I picked up a bag of chips to share with everyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We were given a beverage and a bag of chips.

The New York Times

Those with money might invest in a bag of chips.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"A bag of chips, that's luxury to me".

The Guardian - Opinion

"They take a food, a bag of chips, anything and say: 'What else?

The New York Times - Food

"I need a bag of chips, I just go to the store".

The New York Times - Magazine

It could identify pets, furniture, paintings, even a bag of chips.

The New Yorker

"They're out there participating in the world, not on the couch eating a bag of chips".

The New York Times

He was joined only by Marv Albert's voice on the radio and a bag of chips.

The New York Times - Books

Minutes into her flight, Ashley Spencer popped open a bag of chips and started to munch.

The Washington Post

On a few indulgent occasions, they shared a bag of chips.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

East Park Chippy for a bag of chips and a patty sitting in the park.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a scene or situation, using "a bag of chips" can add a touch of realism and relatability, as it's a common and easily recognizable snack item. For example, "He sat on the couch, engrossed in the game, with a bag of chips in his lap."

Common error

While "a bag of chips" is a common phrase, avoid overuse in formal writing. Consider more descriptive or specific alternatives if the context requires it. For instance, instead of saying, "The party had a bag of chips", you could say, "The party offered a variety of snacks, including potato chips."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bag of chips" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a direct object, subject complement, or object of a preposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. It describes a specific quantity of a common snack item.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Lifestyle

15%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bag of chips" is a commonly used noun phrase referring to a packaged snack, typically potato chips. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely understood. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Lifestyle contexts, indicating a neutral to informal register. While it's a perfectly acceptable phrase for everyday use, more formal contexts might benefit from more descriptive alternatives. The high source quality and expert rating reflect its widespread and consistent usage across various reliable sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a packet of crisps

Replaces "bag" with "packet" and "chips" with the British English term "crisps", maintaining the same meaning.

a sack of chips

Uses "sack" instead of "bag", suggesting a larger quantity, although the core meaning remains.

a snack bag

Focuses on the function of the item, referring to a bag containing snacks in general.

a portion of crisps

Combines "portion" to indicate size and "crisps" for British English, similar to "a packet of crisps".

a serving of chips

Indicates a portion size rather than the packaging, but still refers to the same food item.

a handful of chips

Refers to a small quantity of chips, implying a less formal or precise measurement.

a snack pack

Suggests a pre-packaged collection of snack items, which may or may not include chips.

a box of chips

Changes the container from a "bag" to a "box", implying a different form of packaging.

a small bag of snacks

Broadens the category to include any type of snack contained in a small bag.

an assortment of chips

Implies a variety of chip flavors or types, differing slightly from a single bag.

FAQs

How can I use "a bag of chips" in a sentence?

You can use "a bag of chips" to describe a snack food item in various contexts. For example: "She brought "a bag of chips" to the picnic", or "He was eating "a bag of chips" while watching the game".

What are some alternatives to "a bag of chips"?

Some alternatives include "a packet of crisps" (British English), "a serving of chips", or simply "snack food", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a bag of chips" or should I use another term?

"A bag of chips" is perfectly correct and widely understood. However, the British English equivalent is "a packet of crisps". The choice depends on your audience and the context.

Can "a bag of chips" be used in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, ""a bag of chips"" might be too informal for certain types of formal writing. In those cases, consider using a more descriptive term like "prepackaged snacks" or specifying the type of chips (e.g., "potato chips").