a kilo

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a kilo" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a kilogram, often in contexts related to weight or measurement, particularly in cooking or trade. Example: "I need to buy a kilo of flour for the recipe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"A year ago chicken was six dinars a kilo.

BBC

Robbers were getting €6 ($7) a kilo.

The Economist

A kilo costs around £20,000.

The Economist

A kilo is a kilo is a kilo," said Chris Langton, Samoa Air's chief executive.

The New York Times

"It weighs half a kilo".

The New Yorker

Sadiq recommends: pistachio barfi (£10.30 a kilo).

The Guardian - Travel

A kilo of fentanyl brings in $1m.

The Guardian

5 stars Tesco finest £7.99 a kilo.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Here a kilo of rice cost $40 compared to $2 a kilo outside the besieged area.

Independent

He started with a kilo or a kilo and a half and went up from there.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We can't even buy a kilo of rice or a kilo of sugar.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about quantities in international contexts, use "a kilo" to provide a familiar metric unit of weight. Ensure your audience understands metric measurements or provide conversions where necessary.

Common error

Ensure you're using "kilo" to refer to weight (kilogram) and not confusing it with "kilometer", which is a unit of distance. Context is crucial to avoid misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a kilo" functions primarily as a noun phrase indicating a unit of weight (kilogram). It commonly appears as a measurement in contexts involving commerce, cooking, and science. As noted by Ludwig, this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a kilo" is a grammatically sound and very common way to refer to a kilogram. It is primarily used in neutral to informal contexts such as news reporting and everyday conversation. According to Ludwig, the phrase serves to specify quantities, particularly weights, and is widely accepted across various English-speaking communities. While "a kilo" is suitable for most situations, using "one kilogram" offers a more formal alternative for scientific or technical writing. The abundant examples provided by Ludwig showcase its frequent use in reputable news sources and reflect its common understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one kilogram

Replaces the article "a" with the numeral "one", providing a more formal tone.

a kilogram

Expands the abbreviation "kilo" to its full form, "kilogram", which can sound more precise in some contexts.

one kg

Uses the abbreviation "kg" instead of "kilo", which is common in technical or informal settings.

a kg

Uses the abbreviation "kg" instead of "kilo", providing a shorter, less formal alternative.

1000 grams

Expresses the quantity in grams instead of kilograms, emphasizing the smaller unit.

2.2 pounds

Converts the measurement to pounds, offering a different unit of measure that's common in some regions.

approximately a kilo

Adds the qualifier "approximately" to indicate an estimate rather than an exact measurement.

around a kilo

Uses "around" to suggest an approximate quantity, making the statement less precise.

about a kilo

Similar to "around a kilo", this phrase indicates an estimation of the weight.

a unit of one kilo

Rephrases to emphasize "unit" as a quantity.

FAQs

How is "a kilo" used in sentences about food prices?

The phrase "a kilo" is often used to specify the price of food items by weight, such as "Tomatoes are two dollars "a kilo" at the market".

Can "a kilo" refer to something other than weight?

While primarily referring to a kilogram of weight, "a kilo" can sometimes be used more generally to describe an amount, especially in informal contexts. However, this usage is less precise.

What's the difference between saying "a kilo" and "one kilogram"?

While both "a kilo" and "one kilogram" refer to the same quantity, "a kilo" is generally more informal and conversational, whereas "one kilogram" is more formal and precise. Use "one kilogram" in scientific or technical writing.

Is it correct to use "a kilo" in formal writing?

While understandable, "a kilo" might be considered too informal for strictly formal writing. In such cases, it's better to use "one kilogram" or "one kg" for greater clarity and precision.