a chunk of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a chunk of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a large, discrete piece of something, such as "I took a chunk of cheese from the fridge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"What a chunk of chopped liver".

The New Yorker

It's a chunk of money".

The New York Times

Samson wolfed a chunk of cucumber.

The New Yorker

It's like losing a chunk of history".

The Guardian

"A chunk of that as well".

The New York Times - Style

A chunk of the 1950s follows hard on a chunk of the 1970s.

The Economist

"Got a chunk of shrapnel right in the groin.

The New Yorker

Ms Fernández now plans to spend a chunk of them.

The Economist

A big gull dove on a chunk of tuna.

The New Yorker

Sometimes payment on a chunk of the principal is postponed.

The New York Times

It bit off a chunk of his ear.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a chunk of" when you want to emphasize that a portion is substantial or significant. For example, "He dedicated a chunk of his time to volunteering."

Common error

While "a chunk of" is acceptable in many contexts, it can sound informal. In academic or professional writing, consider alternatives like "a significant portion of" or "a substantial part of" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a chunk of" functions as a partitive, indicating a portion or quantity of something. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, and examples show it modifying both countable and uncountable nouns.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a chunk of" is a versatile phrase used to denote a significant portion of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage, especially in news and media contexts. While generally acceptable, it may be perceived as informal in academic or professional settings where phrases like "a significant portion of" may be more appropriate. Remember to use "a chunk of" when you wish to emphasize a substantial part, but be mindful of your audience and the desired level of formality. Top authoritative sources that uses this phrase are The New York Times, The New Yorker and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a piece of

More general and can refer to a smaller or less defined portion.

a part of

Very general term for a piece or component of something.

a portion of

Implies a share or allotment of something, often in a more formal context.

a segment of

Suggests a distinct and often measurable part of a whole.

a slice of

Implies a thin, flat piece, often used for food or abstract concepts.

a share of

Indicates a part that belongs to someone or is allocated to them.

a fragment of

Refers to a broken or incomplete piece, often smaller and more delicate.

a section of

Denotes a specific area or division within a larger whole.

a mass of

Refers to an aggregate or collection of something without clear boundaries.

a block of

Suggests a solid, three-dimensional piece, often rectangular in shape.

FAQs

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

You can use "a chunk of" to describe a sizable portion or piece of something, like "I spent "a chunk of money" on that new gadget" or "She devoted "a chunk of time" to the project".

What are some alternatives to saying "a chunk of"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a piece of", "a portion of", or "a segment of" as alternatives to "a chunk of".

Is it ever incorrect to use "a chunk of"?

While generally correct, "a chunk of" might be too informal for certain formal or academic writing situations. In those cases, opt for more formal alternatives like "a significant portion of".

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

"A chunk of" usually implies a larger, more substantial portion than "a piece of". For example, you might have "a chunk of cheese" but "a piece of paper". The best choice depends on the size and context.