a bit of text

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bit of text" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small portion or excerpt of written material. Example: "In the report, I included a bit of text from the original source to support my argument."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

There's a bit of text messaging going on as well.

The New York Times

When the app started out, profiles consisted of a big picture and a bit of text for a bio.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I read a bit of text into the microphone in a normal voice and adjusted the controls.

The New York Times

It's just a bit of text with a format that identifies robots by a short, agreed-upon name, and tells them what they may and may not do.

The Economist

At the end, a bit of text informs us that, after the events chronicled in the movie, he "continued to make films with passion".

The New York Times

In the 1981 "From the Diaries of Franz Kafka," Sokolow captured Kafka's writing and his world with movement and just a bit of text.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Mr. Rzewski asks much of a performer here: apart from reciting the text, which is interspersed through a long, dense, changeable score, the pianist must do a bit of text-free vocalizing and gesturing.

The New York Times - Arts

Now I love a bit of texting – I've done some of my best humour work via text – but I'm uneasy with somebody becoming a part of my every day, popping up in my phone with what they've eaten for breakfast, or just "checking in", when we've only just started dating.

Independent

But mobile users are no longer happy to do mainly talking and a bit of texting.

BBC

A bit of label text in "Heroic Africans: Legendary Leaders, Iconic Sculptures," a show of mostly precolonial tribal art at the Metropolitan Museum, electrified me.

The New Yorker

Basically, Mr. Marclay has never met a cluster of musical notes that he hasn't taken as a theme looking to be played, or a bit of onomatopoeic text that he hasn't wanted to hear expressed as music.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a bit of text" when you want to refer to a small portion of written material without being overly specific about its size or nature. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "a bit of text" is acceptable, in formal academic or professional writing, consider using more precise terms like "excerpt", "section", or "passage" to enhance clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit of text" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to a small, unspecified portion of written content, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

15%

Science

11%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bit of text" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to denote a small, often unspecified, portion of written content. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it appears frequently in news and media sources but is also found in academic and scientific writing. While versatile, it's essential to consider the context and choose more precise language, such as "excerpt" or "passage", in formal settings. According to Ludwig, the phrase serves to introduce or acknowledge written material without being overly specific.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small piece of writing

Replaces "bit" with "piece" and "text" with "writing", emphasizing the physical manifestation of the content.

a short section of text

Substitutes "bit" with "section", indicating a more defined part of the whole text.

a fragment of text

Emphasizes the incomplete nature of the text portion.

a snippet of text

Highlights a small, extracted piece of text.

a small amount of text

Focuses on the quantity, indicating a limited portion of written content.

a brief passage of text

Replaces "bit" with "passage", suggesting a continuous segment.

a short excerpt of text

Implies the text has been taken from a larger source.

a touch of text

Emphasizes the lightness and subtlety of the textual element.

a dash of text

Similar to "touch", suggesting a minimal inclusion of text.

an element of text

Focuses on the text as a component of something larger.

FAQs

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

You can use "a bit of text" to refer to a small portion or excerpt of written material, as in "The website included "a bit of text" from the original article".

What are some alternatives to "a bit of text"?

You can use alternatives like "a small piece of writing", "a short section of text", or "a snippet of text" depending on the specific context.

Is "a bit of text" formal or informal?

"A bit of text" is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in both informal and semi-formal contexts. For highly formal writing, consider more precise alternatives.

What's the difference between "a bit of text" and "a piece of text"?

While both phrases are similar, "a piece of text" might imply a more distinct and self-contained portion, whereas ""a bit of text"" can refer to a less clearly defined portion of written material.