a chunk of bone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a chunk of bone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a piece or fragment of bone, often in a medical, archaeological, or anatomical context. Example: "During the excavation, the team discovered a chunk of bone that provided valuable insights into the diet of ancient creatures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

To replace the young man's crushed cheekbone and eye socket, the surgeon carved a chunk of bone, nerves, and blood vessels from the man's pelvis.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Again, I began training and nine months later, instead of addressing a pain in my lower back (I thought it was sciatica), I ignored it for a few months before finding the cancer had returned and ate a chunk of my pelvic bone.

Huffington Post

And the skull, reputedly a very hard chunk of bone, emerged with what the report calls "significant damage".

The Guardian

We resorted to screw fixation alone wherever fracture configuration comprised a large, solid, single chunk of bone (n = 10); plate-and-screw fixation was used in the remainder of cases (n = 16).

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

There's a chunk of meat with the bone and it's cooked for a long time, until the meat falls off the bone".

The New York Times - Food

There was the chunk of bone she ripped off the humerus in her separated shoulder, requiring years of popping her shoulder back into place.

The New York Times

She said that she will be "out for a chunk of time" after she receives a bone marrow transplant from her sister, who doctors said was a "perfect match" for her.

Huffington Post

Now, with the BBC in turn being cut to the bone, the government has decided to rebadge a chunk of money going to the World Service as "aid".

The Guardian

"What a chunk of chopped liver".

The New Yorker

RPX pockets a chunk, of course.

The New York Times

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

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing medical procedures or anatomical details, using precise terms like "a chunk of bone" helps ensure clarity and accuracy. For general descriptions, consider more common terms like "piece" or "fragment".

Common error

While "a chunk of bone" is accurate, it can sound overly clinical in everyday conversation. For less formal settings, simpler terms like "piece" or "bit of bone" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a chunk of bone" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI shows that it is often used to describe a tangible, physical fragment, in scientific and medical contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a chunk of bone" is a grammatically correct noun phrase commonly used to describe a substantial fragment or piece of bone, frequently appearing in news, scientific, and medical contexts. Ludwig AI indicates its primary function is descriptive, often conveying precise information in a neutral to formal tone. While semantically related alternatives like "a piece of bone" or "a fragment of bone" exist, using "a chunk of bone" is particularly fitting when emphasizing the size and nature of the bone fragment, especially in technical settings. Remember to consider context and audience when choosing the most appropriate term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a piece of bone

This alternative is a more general term, suitable for describing any fragment of bone.

a bone fragment

This alternative is a concise way of saying a broken part of a bone.

a fragment of bone

This alternative emphasizes the broken or incomplete nature of the bone piece.

a bone piece

This alternative is a simpler term for any bone section.

a sliver of bone

This alternative suggests a thin, narrow piece of bone.

a shard of bone

This alternative implies a sharp, broken piece of bone, often resulting from trauma.

a segment of bone

This alternative indicates that it's an anatomically defined region.

a section of bone

This alternative refers to a distinct part or segment of a bone.

a portion of bone

This alternative suggests a measurable or defined amount of bone.

a part of bone

This alternative is a general way of describing any bone portion.

FAQs

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

You can use "a chunk of bone" to describe a fragment or piece of bone, especially in medical or archaeological contexts. For example, "The archaeologist discovered "a chunk of bone" that appeared to be from a large mammal."

What is a less technical alternative to "a chunk of bone"?

For less formal situations, you can use terms like "a piece of bone", "a bit of bone", or "a fragment of bone depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "a chunk of bone"?

It's appropriate to use "a chunk of bone" when describing a significant or substantial piece of bone, particularly in scientific, medical, or archaeological contexts where precision is important. Avoid using it in casual conversation where it might sound overly technical.

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

While both terms refer to a portion of bone, "a chunk of bone" implies a larger, more substantial fragment, whereas "a piece of bone" is more general and can refer to any fragment regardless of size.