a heavy chunk of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a heavy chunk of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a substantial or significant amount of something, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "After the storm, we found a heavy chunk of debris blocking the road."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Monday's incident at Yankee Stadium, where a heavy chunk of steel and concrete came loose and crashed into empty seats below the upper deck, proves otherwise.

The New York Times

At each wheel, a damper weight -- a heavy chunk of steel on springs -- is fitted to absorb natural vibrations that could cause the tire to lose contact with the road.

The New York Times

WASHINGTON — The death penalty case against Humberto Leal García Jr. did not seem like the sort to draw attention from a high-profile list of former U.S. diplomats, prosecutors, politicians and military men: He was convicted in Texas of raping, kidnapping and murdering a 16-year-old girl, Adria Sauceda, bludgeoning her with a heavy chunk of asphalt.

The New York Times

The home side's chase was derailed from the outset, however, with Jason Roy pinned lbw in the second over by Mathews and Alex Hales clipping Lakmal to midwicket in the third, prompting a baffling review of Shane Watson proportions that confirmed what everyone else already knew: that a heavy chunk of bat had been struck in the squeeze against his front pad.

The Guardian - Sport

Smart content must be a heavy chunk of a brands marketing strategy today.

Forbes

"These strikes are killing some bad guys as well but the price is too high," he said, holding a heavy chunk of jagged metal in his hands.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

With something like a Gibson Les Paul, it's a very heavy chunk of wood.

The Guardian - Music

He concludes his discussion of this "unusually heavy chunk of rock" with the observation: "It's a song of anger and alienation, redolent of betrayal and hostility.

Wikipedia

"This is not the result of any form of bias". Part of the reason the number of inmates facing death is skewed toward minorities, the study found, is that a relative handful of federal districts with heavy minority prosecutions bring a large chunk of capital cases.

Los Angeles Times

Obamacare closes a big chunk of it.

The New York Times

That took a big chunk of time.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a heavy chunk of" to emphasize both the weight/substantiality and the defined portion of something, whether physical or abstract. For example, "a heavy chunk of metal" or "a heavy chunk of responsibility".

Common error

While "a heavy chunk of" is acceptable, overuse in formal contexts can make your writing sound less sophisticated. Substitute with more precise terms like "significant portion" or "substantial amount" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a heavy chunk of" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. As evidenced by Ludwig, it modifies a noun to indicate a substantial or significant portion.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a heavy chunk of" is a noun phrase used to describe a substantial or significant portion, often implying weight or importance. While considered grammatically correct and usable according to Ludwig, its usage leans towards neutral formality. Examples are found across diverse domains like News & Media, Wiki and Science. When considering alternatives, "a substantial portion of" or "a significant amount of" may suit formal contexts better. Remember to use this phrase thoughtfully, balancing its descriptive power with the desired tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial portion of

Replaces "heavy chunk" with "substantial portion", emphasizing the size or amount.

a significant amount of

Substitutes "heavy chunk" with "significant amount", highlighting the importance or impact.

a sizable piece of

Replaces "chunk" with "piece" and "heavy" with "sizable", focusing on the physical aspect of the object.

a considerable segment of

Uses "considerable segment" instead of "heavy chunk", emphasizing the part-whole relationship.

a large segment of

Similar to "a considerable segment of" but uses "large" to emphasize size.

a hefty portion of

Replaces "heavy chunk" with "hefty portion", suggesting a large and satisfying amount.

a big piece of

Uses 'big' for emphasis and replaces 'chunk' with 'piece'.

a significant piece of

Substitutes "heavy chunk" with "significant piece", highlighting the importance or impact of the piece.

a massive part of

Replaces "heavy chunk" with "massive part", emphasizing the largeness and importance of the part.

a considerable share of

Uses "considerable share" instead of "heavy chunk", highlighting the distribution of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "a heavy chunk of" to describe a significant portion or amount of something, often implying weight or substantiality. For example: "A heavy chunk of the budget was allocated to research."

What phrases are similar to "a heavy chunk of"?

Similar phrases include "a substantial portion of", "a significant amount of", or "a sizable piece of", depending on the context.

Is "a heavy chunk of" formal or informal?

"A heavy chunk of" leans towards the informal side. While acceptable in many contexts, more formal alternatives like "a considerable segment of" might be preferable in academic or professional writing.

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

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the weight, size, or impact of a specific part or portion. It works well in descriptive writing and everyday conversation, but consider alternatives for highly formal or technical contexts.