a chunk of ice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a chunk of ice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a piece or portion of ice, often in contexts related to drinks, weather, or physical properties of ice. Example: "She added a chunk of ice to her glass to keep her drink cold."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

He was rubbing a chunk of ice in a towel across his bruised lips.

The New York Times - Sports

Two years ago, the glacier lost a chunk of ice four times as big as Manhattan.

The New York Times - Science

Comet: a chunk of ice and rock originating from the outer solar system.

The New York Times

Add two ounces of rhum agricole blanc, stir and add a chunk of ice.

The New York Times - Style

Maia fished for a chunk of ice and eventually caught one with a long stick.

The Guardian - Travel

A chunk of ice measuring 100 square miles, about four times the size of Manhattan, broke loose and floated away.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

At the start of the film, a chunk of Antarctic ice the size of Rhode Island suddenly melts.

The New Yorker

My lips were sunburned so badly I had to hold a chunk of glacier ice to them.

The Guardian - Travel

And it cannot be stopped.For many readers the sense of anxiety no doubt melted away like a chunk of polar ice at the qualification "in coming centuries".

The Economist

Mark Roberts, 47, a safety consultant and life-long climber, was climbing Snowdon with two friends when he was knocked off by a chunk of falling ice, he told the British Mountaineering Council.

Independent

Richard LaMotta, who turned his childhood passion for dunking cookies in milk into the Chipwich — two chocolate chip cookies embracing a chunk of vanilla ice cream dotted with chocolate chips — died Tuesday at his home in Chappaqua, N.Y.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing environmental changes, use "a chunk of ice" to illustrate the scale of ice loss in glaciers or polar regions.

Common error

Avoid using "a chunk of ice" metaphorically when a different image better conveys the intended meaning. Be mindful of overusing literal phrases in figurative writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a chunk of ice" is as a noun phrase, serving as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig's examples show it describing physical objects and environmental phenomena.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a chunk of ice" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that serves to describe a portion or piece of ice. Ludwig AI identifies it as correct and usable in numerous contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Science. The phrase carries a neutral register, fitting well in both formal and informal settings. While alternatives like ""a piece of ice"" or ""a block of ice"" exist, "a chunk of ice" effectively conveys an image of an irregularly shaped mass of ice. When using this phrase, consider the context to avoid overuse in metaphorical senses and ensure the imagery aligns with your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a piece of ice

Replaces "chunk" with "piece", offering a more general term for a portion of ice.

a block of ice

Substitutes "chunk" with "block", suggesting a more regular and solid shape.

a fragment of ice

Replaces "chunk" with "fragment", implying a smaller, broken piece of ice.

a slab of ice

Uses "slab" instead of "chunk", indicating a thick, flat piece of ice.

an ice floe

Refers to a sheet of floating ice, typically in polar regions.

a cube of ice

Specifies a regular, six-sided shape, commonly used for cooling drinks.

a mass of ice

Emphasizes the quantity or bulk of the ice.

a sliver of ice

Suggests a thin, narrow piece of ice.

an iceberg fragment

Specifies a piece broken off from a larger iceberg.

a frozen mass

Uses a more generic term to describe a frozen entity.

FAQs

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

You can use "a chunk of ice" to describe a piece of ice, like "The drink contained "a chunk of ice" to keep it cold" or "A chunk of ice broke off the glacier and floated away.

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a piece of ice", "a block of ice", or "an ice floe".

Is it appropriate to use "a chunk of ice" in formal writing?

Yes, "a chunk of ice" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing scientific or environmental phenomena. However, consider more precise terms if available.

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

"A chunk of ice" implies an irregularly shaped piece of ice, while "a block of ice" suggests a more regular, often rectangular, shape.