a lump of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a lump of" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to a piece or large quantity of something. For example, "I found a lump of clay in the garden."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

3. A lump of impertinence!

Yale University

A lump of ground ginger.

The New York Times - Travel

"It's just a lump of bricks, essentially".

The New Yorker

A lump of boursin costs the same.

The New York Times

He looked like a lump of meat.

The Guardian

And a lump of jawbone too, perhaps.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a lump of bloody foam!

The Guardian

"The Fastnet is just a lump of rock.

The New York Times - Sports

A lump of sugar tossed into a coffee to go.

The New York Times

"The History of a Lump of Chalk," by the author of "A Lump of Coal," is also remarkably good.

The New York Times

A lump of the special grated radish called wasabi.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a lump of" when referring to a roughly shaped or undefined mass of something. It is suitable for both tangible items like "a lump of clay" and abstract concepts such as "a lump of impertinence".

Common error

While acceptable, "a lump of" can sound informal. In professional or academic writing, consider more precise alternatives like "a portion of", "a mass of", or a more descriptive term depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lump of" functions primarily as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It specifies an indefinite quantity or mass of the noun it precedes, as seen in examples like "a lump of coal" or "a lump of sugar".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a lump of" is a versatile and frequently used expression to describe an undefined mass or quantity of something, as confirmed by Ludwig. While grammatically sound, its formality varies depending on the context. Ludwig AI shows that it is most commonly found in news and media, but also present in academic and scientific writing. When choosing to use "a lump of", consider the specific nuance you want to convey, as alternatives like ""a piece of"" or ""a mass of"" may be more suitable for certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a piece of

Refers to a portion or fragment, similar to "a lump of" but can apply to more diverse materials.

a chunk of

Implies a rough or irregularly shaped piece, more specific than "a lump of".

a mass of

Refers to an aggregation of material, more general than "a lump of".

a block of

Implies a solid, often rectangular mass, more specific than "a lump of".

a bit of

Indicates a small quantity, unlike "a lump of" which suggests a more substantial amount.

a portion of

Suggests a measured or assigned quantity, unlike the more arbitrary "a lump of".

a mound of

Suggests a heap or pile, distinct from the more compact form of "a lump of".

a wad of

Refers to a tightly packed bundle, different in form from "a lump of".

a dollop of

Implies a small, soft mass, often of food, unlike the more general "a lump of".

a nugget of

Refers to a small, valuable piece, different in connotation from the neutral "a lump of".

FAQs

How can I use "a lump of" in a sentence?

You can use "a lump of" to describe a mass or piece of something without a defined shape. For example, "The sculptor started with "a lump of clay"" or "He felt "a lump of disappointment" in his throat".

What's a more formal alternative to "a lump of"?

Depending on the context, consider alternatives like "a portion of", "a mass of", or "a piece of". These phrases can add a touch of formality to your writing.

Is "a lump of" appropriate for all types of writing?

While grammatically correct, "a lump of" may sound informal in certain contexts. It is generally fine for casual conversation or less formal writing, but consider more precise vocabulary for professional or academic settings.

What is the difference between "a lump of" and "a chunk of"?

While both refer to a piece of something, "a chunk of" often suggests a larger, rougher, or more irregularly shaped piece than "a lump of". Use "a chunk of" when emphasizing the size and roughness of the material.