a massive chunk of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a massive chunk of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large portion or significant amount of something, often in a figurative sense. Example: "The report revealed that a massive chunk of the budget was allocated to research and development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

TechCrunch

Vice

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

It's a massive chunk of money in a somewhat anemic fundraising environment.

The New York Times

A massive chunk of Lorraine coal is a reminder of the hardships and dangers of pit life.

The Guardian

Almost all big movies now open on 2,000 or more screens, hoping to recover a massive chunk of the budget in the first week of release.

The Economist

Back in the mid-1990's, a less cautious tree surgeon had lopped off a massive chunk of the tree, right up near the top.

The New York Times

With the city council's approval, he jettisoned an unpopular car tax, stripped transit workers of their right to strike, and outsourced a massive chunk of Toronto's garbage collection.

The New Yorker

Trust the reader (you don't need footnotes such as "the poet I refer to here is John Clare" or "Aung San Suu Kyi is currently held under house arrest in Burma"), but don't trust them too much: don't pick for your epigraph a massive chunk of Heidegger in the original German.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

The more senior submariner allegedly told McNeilly that the French vessel "took a massive chunk out of the front of HMS Vanguard" and grazed the side of the boat.

The Guardian

Certainly, they've taken a huge share of the popular vote and, significantly, have demonstrated that they can take a massive chunk out of Labour's traditional northern vote.

The Guardian

The tables show that whether you're earning 50,000 euros ($54,500) a year, 100,000 euros or 200,000 euros, Sweden takes a massive chunk out of your paycheck.

Forbes

Essentially, it's pretty fucking rich for Aiden to listen to this kind of music and then spend a whole massive chunk of Watch Dogs shooting and killing young, black people in the poorest neighbourhoods of Chicago.

Vice

Essentially, it's pretty fucking rich for Aiden to listen to this kind of music and then spend a whole massive chunk of Watch Dogs shooting and killing young, black people in the poorest neighborhoods of Chicago.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a massive chunk of" to emphasize the size or importance of a portion or amount when you want to convey a sense of scale or impact. For instance, "A massive chunk of the budget was allocated to marketing" highlights that a large amount was used for this purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "a massive chunk of" in highly formal or academic writing. While acceptable in news and general contexts, more precise or formal language like "a significant portion" or "a substantial amount" may be more appropriate for scholarly or business documents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a massive chunk of" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun. It quantifies a portion of something, emphasizing its large size or significance. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

TechCrunch

15%

Vice

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a massive chunk of" is a common and acceptable way to describe a large portion or amount of something, according to Ludwig AI. While grammatically correct, it is generally considered neutral to informal in register and most frequently appears in news and media contexts. For more formal or academic writing, alternatives such as "a substantial portion of" or "a significant amount of" may be more suitable. The phrase effectively emphasizes the size or impact of the quantity being described, and is widely understood and used in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial portion of

Replaces "massive" with "substantial", indicating a considerable amount but with a slightly more formal tone.

a significant amount of

Emphasizes the importance of the quantity rather than just its size.

a considerable segment of

Uses "segment" to suggest a part of a larger whole, suitable when referring to populations or markets.

a large fraction of

Suitable for numerical contexts, emphasizing a proportional relationship.

a sizable piece of

Employs "piece" to imply something tangible or concrete, which might be literally or figuratively divided.

a hefty amount of

Uses "hefty" to describe a considerable and often impressive quantity.

a generous portion of

Implies that the amount is not just large, but also more than sufficient or expected.

a good deal of

An idiomatic expression indicating a large quantity or extent.

a respectable quantity of

Suggests that the amount is not only large but also worthy of recognition or respect.

a lion's share of

This idiom means the largest portion, implying that one party receives significantly more than others.

FAQs

What does "a massive chunk of" mean?

The phrase "a massive chunk of" means a large or significant portion of something. It emphasizes the size or importance of the amount being referred to.

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

You can use "a massive chunk of" to describe a large quantity or portion of something. For example: "A massive chunk of the budget was spent on marketing."

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

You can use alternatives like "a substantial portion of", "a significant amount of", or "a considerable segment of" depending on the context.

Is "a massive chunk of" formal or informal?

The phrase "a massive chunk of" is generally considered informal and is best suited for news articles, blog posts, or casual conversations. More formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or professional writing.