a chunk of cheese

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a chunk of cheese" is a commonly used and correct phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a relatively large piece of cheese without specifying the exact size or shape. For example, "I put a chunk of cheese on my sandwich."

✓ Grammatically correct

Food

Travel

Health

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

All you need is a pear, a knife and a chunk of cheese.

The New York Times - Food

Eaten with a chunk of cheese, it made a workingman's afternoon meal.

The New York Times - Food

Plus a chunk of cheese and some treacle biscuits in the bag.

The Guardian - Books

You travel around the plate, to a scrap of salty-sweet bacon, a chunk of cheese, slivers of scallion.

The New York Times - Food

The resulting images could provide enough extra detail to reveal smaller tumors or distinguish a block of explosives from a chunk of cheese.

MIT Technology Review

She showed an attendant the picture of a knife and quickly secured cutlery to slice a chunk of cheese and the cutlets.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The hefty burger, topped with a chunk of goat cheese, on dark Finnish bread was well worth the 7.90 euros.

The New York Times

Blitz with olive oil, sea salt, pepper, a handful of skinned nuts (optional), and a chunk of hard cheese, such as parmesan or mature cheddar.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She doesn't need a snack when watching a film, because her eyes are feeding on the images: Brief Encounter is, for her, a chunk of Wensleydale cheese, inimitably English.

The Guardian - Books

Whether served as an accompaniment to heartier fare or simply with some bread and a chunk of good cheese, this artful and colorful dish will perk up any meal.

The Washington Post

As he sits in his West Hollywood restaurant, Pazzia, talking to a visitor about the wonders of Parmesan, he holds a chunk of the cheese and examines it.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a chunk of cheese" when you want to emphasize a substantial, irregularly shaped piece of cheese, rather than a neatly cut slice or a precisely measured portion.

Common error

Avoid using "a chunk of cheese" in formal writing or professional settings where a more precise term like "portion" or "serving" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a chunk of cheese" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig examples show its use in various food-related and descriptive contexts, referring to a tangible quantity of cheese.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a chunk of cheese" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a sizable, often irregularly shaped piece of cheese. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted in general writing, although perhaps less suited for formal contexts where more precise terminology might be preferred. It is most frequently found in news and media sources. When needing a more formal alternative, consider using "a portion of cheese" or "a serving of cheese". The phrase conveys a sense of informality, as compared to others, but the meaning is clear across sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a piece of cheese

More general term; replaces "chunk" with "piece".

a block of cheese

Specifies a more defined, rectangular shape.

a wedge of cheese

Implies a triangular portion cut from a wheel.

a slice of cheese

Suggests a thin, flat cut.

a portion of cheese

More formal way of indicating a serving size.

a serving of cheese

Focuses on the amount intended for one person.

a wheel of cheese

Refers to the entire circular block of cheese.

a load of cheese

Suggests a significant amount of cheese.

some cheese

Simpler, less specific way to refer to cheese.

a sample of cheese

Refers to a small quantity for tasting.

FAQs

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

You can use "a chunk of cheese" to describe a relatively large, irregularly shaped piece of cheese. For example, "I prefer to eat "a chunk of cheese" with my apple instead of a slice."

What can I say instead of "a chunk of cheese"?

You can use alternatives like "a piece of cheese", "a block of cheese", or "a wedge of cheese" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use the phrase "a chunk of cheese"?

While grammatically correct, "a chunk of cheese" might sound too informal in professional or academic writing. In such cases, consider using alternatives like "a portion of cheese" or "a serving of cheese".

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

"A chunk of cheese" suggests an irregular, roughly cut piece, whereas "a slice of cheese" implies a thin, flat, and often uniformly cut piece.