a bit of newspaper

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bit of newspaper" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small piece or portion of a newspaper, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "I found a bit of newspaper on the floor that had an interesting article about local events."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Danny played the trumpet, and kept the instrument wrapped in a bit of newspaper in the bag.

The New Yorker

Even though summer comes around every year, and every year summer is hot (thanks, global warming!), British men – or to be specific, British men's feet – are dressed in a way that suggests they have never before encountered hot temperatures and are thus just making do in a blitz-mentality with a bit of newspaper and twine, sometimes metaphorically, sometimes literally.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Have a bit of newspaper or hay sticking out if your pants or mask so it looks like you are a home-made, stuffed decoration.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Bacon, who confesses to being a "bit of a newspaper groupie", said the experience had left him as excited as a Bruce Springsteen fan that had just visited the rock star back stage after a show.

Independent

The interactive movie cover reminds me a bit of the newspapers in the Harry Potter films.

TechCrunch

Her office, which by the 1990's was receiving 2,000 letters a day, functioned as a de facto clearing house for people in need, maintaining computerized lists of support groups and social service agencies in hundreds of cities. "I can't salvage a life that's been rotten for 20 years in a little bit of newspaper space," Mrs. Lederer told The New York Times Magazine in 1974.

The New York Times

Miraculously, Mr. Keno found a bit of dated Philadelphia newspaper in it, proving its origin in that city.

The New York Times - Books

Since the tip of the straw has polish on it, you'll want to put the next color on a plastic plate or bit of newspaper, then dip the straw in that instead of directly in the nail polish bottle.

WikiHow

(The Guardian newspaper of London has reported that News Corporation will use The Sunday Times, a high-quality bit of newspapering, as a beta test, creating a stand-alone site that will have some sort of pay model).

The New York Times

Hang on, the woman said, and bent down and lit a lighter to some newspaper, then the newspaper to a bit of kindling.

The New Yorker

The night before, the striker had been embroiled in a bit of controversy, when a leading newspaper reported his attendance at the aforementioned white sausage shindig in Tyrol.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a bit of newspaper" to describe material for crafts or DIY projects, be specific about the type of content on the newspaper for added detail (e.g., "a bit of newspaper with vintage ads").

Common error

Avoid using "a bit of newspaper" when a more precise term is appropriate. For example, instead of saying "he wrapped the fish in a bit of newspaper", specify the type of section: "he wrapped the fish in a bit of newspaper from the sports section".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit of newspaper" typically functions as a noun phrase, serving as the object of a verb or preposition. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and is usable in written English. It specifies a small quantity or piece of a newspaper.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

22%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a bit of newspaper" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to refer to a small piece or portion of a newspaper. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While its frequency is relatively rare, it finds use across diverse contexts, particularly in news, media, and general knowledge articles. Related phrases include "a piece of newspaper" and "a scrap of newspaper". When using the phrase, ensure clarity and specificity in describing the content and purpose of the newspaper piece for enhanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a piece of newspaper

Replaces "bit" with "piece", offering a direct synonym with minimal change in meaning.

a scrap of newspaper

Substitutes "bit" with "scrap", emphasizing a small, discarded fragment of newspaper.

a fragment of newspaper

Replaces "bit" with "fragment", highlighting a broken or incomplete portion of the newspaper.

some newspaper

Uses "some" instead of "a bit of", implying a small, undefined amount of newspaper.

small amount of newspaper

More descriptive, specifying a "small amount" rather than "a bit".

portion of the newspaper

Emphasizes a specific section or part of the newspaper.

section of the newspaper

Highlights a distinct part of the newspaper, like a specific article or page.

part of the newspaper

General term referring to any component of the newspaper.

a clipping from a newspaper

Specifies that the "bit" is a cut-out piece from the newspaper.

a snippet from the newspaper

Indicates a small, extracted piece, often used for quotations or references.

FAQs

How can I use "a bit of newspaper" in a sentence?

You can use "a bit of newspaper" to describe a small piece of newspaper used for various purposes, such as wrapping items, stuffing decorations, or as material in art projects. For instance, "Danny played the trumpet, and kept the instrument wrapped in "a bit of newspaper" in the bag."

What are some synonyms for "a bit of newspaper"?

Alternatives include "a piece of newspaper", "a scrap of newspaper", or "a fragment of newspaper". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired nuance.

Is it more formal to say "a piece of newspaper" instead of "a bit of newspaper"?

While both are acceptable, "a piece of newspaper" may be perceived as slightly more formal than ""a bit of newspaper"". However, the difference is minimal, and either option is suitable for most contexts.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "a bit of newspaper"?

"A bit of newspaper" is appropriate in informal and neutral contexts. It's suitable when describing small amounts of newspaper used for everyday purposes, like packing material, or as part of a collage. More formal settings may require more precise language.