a large chunk of time

USAGE SUMMARY

"a large chunk of time" is grammatically correct and is commonly used in written English.
It means a significant or considerable amount of time. Example: I need to finish this project, but it will take a large chunk of time to complete.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Many of them spend a large chunk of time discussing how they envisage their future.

The Guardian - Opinion

After her early success, Hoffmann essentially gave up acting for a large chunk of time.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I've put aside a large chunk of time to meditate and try and download my mind into some drawings and paintings".

The Guardian

Client calls took up a large chunk of time at banks on Monday, as traders and others explained what was happening in the marketplace.

The New York Times

(Yes, she eats, though on the other hand she spends a large chunk of time each day doing a Tracy Anderson workout with a personal trainer).

The New York Times

Any passing play or running play that ended in the field of play would have resulted in a large chunk of time being run off the clock.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

It's worth remembering that the time people spend with me, during the period I'm painting them, frequently represents a larger chunk of time than they tend to spend with their spouses.

The Guardian

If it is particularly difficult to find time during the day, setting aside a larger chunk of time once a week (such as a Sunday) may be more manageable.

WikiHow

Mr. Parry-Jones spends a large chunk of his time behind the wheel; he logs about 30,000 miles a year evaluating vehicles in the United States, Europe and Japan.

The New York Times

Many university leaders now need to spend a large chunk of their time on fundraising and looking for other ways of raising cash.

The Guardian

Before The Change (what I'll call that definitive moment of separating from my ex-husband and moving out to begin my authentic journey), I spent a large chunk of my time sitting in front of a television.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When estimating project timelines, clearly define what tasks occupy "a large chunk of time" to prioritize resource allocation effectively.

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "This will take a large chunk of time." Instead, break down tasks and estimate time requirements more precisely to prevent underestimation and potential delays.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a large chunk of time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate the duration of an activity or event. As Ludwig AI suggests, it denotes a significant or considerable amount of time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

21%

Science & Research

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a large chunk of time" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate a significant duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, including news, media, and general writing. While precise timeframes are preferable in technical contexts, this phrase provides a clear way to communicate that an activity demands a considerable time commitment. Using it effectively requires being mindful of potential vagueness and ensuring clarity when estimating timelines. Alternatives such as "a significant period of time" or "a considerable amount of time" offer similar meanings, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant period of time

Emphasizes the importance or impact of the time duration.

a considerable amount of time

Highlights the substantial quantity of time involved.

a substantial duration

Focuses on the length and solidity of the time period.

a lengthy period

Simple and direct way to describe a long time.

an extended duration

Similar to "lengthy period" but slightly more formal.

a good deal of time

Informal way to indicate a notable amount of time.

a sizable interval

Emphasizes the size or extent of the time gap.

a major portion of time

Highlights the time as a significant fraction of a larger whole.

an appreciable time

Suggests the time is easily noticed or worth considering.

a prolonged spell

Implies the time is continuous and unbroken.

FAQs

What does "a large chunk of time" mean?

The phrase "a large chunk of time" refers to a significant or considerable amount of time dedicated to a particular activity, task, or event.

How can I use "a large chunk of time" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe how long something takes, such as "Completing this report will take "a large chunk of time"" or "He dedicated "a large chunk of time" to volunteering."

What are some alternatives to saying "a large chunk of time"?

Alternatives include "a significant period of time", "a considerable amount of time", or "a substantial duration", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "a large chunk of time" or a more specific time frame?

While "a large chunk of time" is acceptable for general statements, using a more specific time frame (e.g., "three weeks", "several months") provides clearer and more precise information.