a morsel of bread

USAGE SUMMARY

'a morsel of bread' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a small piece of bread that someone is eating. For example, "She enjoyed her breakfast, savoring each morsel of bread as if it were her last meal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

She broke off a morsel of bread and dipped it into the saucer of olive oil.

The New Yorker

Rich people here say they have only a morsel of bread; whereas Haitians all believe they own a bakery.

The Guardian - Books

Everyone complained, above all, about the food: French dishes "stewed in grease" and breakfasts consisting of nothing more "than a thimbleful of coffee or chocolate and a morsel of bread".

The New Yorker

Whether you choose to visit the Papillon caves, those of Société or another brand, you will surely hear the story of a smitten shepherd who, according to local legend, left a morsel of bread and piece of plain sheep's cheese in a cave while he went off in search of a lady.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Ethel Kennedy broke off a morsel of blessed bread, and Chavez finally ate.

The New Yorker

"Yet all the cool wines and flowery rooms, with as many fans and soft dews as June and July can imagine, are not worth a morsel of the bread and oil eaten around the fire in December and January as one gulps down a cup or two of new wine and, while the spit turns, tears off a piece of roast pork without worrying about one's thieving mouth and fingers being cooked themselves".

The Guardian

Their holdings include a morsel of a croissant shared by Judi Dench and Sir Ian McKellan, a sliver of Prince Charles's bread pudding and a piece of zucchini that Mia Wasikowski skipped over while eating a bowl of soup.

Huffington Post

I wanted a morsel of guilt.

The Guardian

He chose not to eat a morsel of it.

The Guardian

The tale was originally a morsel of English folklore.

The New York Times - Books

He held up a morsel of the unctuous goo.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a morsel of bread" when you want to emphasize the small size and perhaps preciousness of the piece of bread being consumed or offered. This phrase adds a touch of elegance or perhaps scarcity to the description.

Common error

Avoid using "a morsel of bread" in very casual conversation where simpler terms like "a piece of bread" or "a bit of bread" would be more appropriate. The phrase can sound overly formal or literary in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a morsel of bread" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It denotes a small quantity of bread, often emphasizing its small size or preciousness. As Ludwig AI pointed out, its grammar is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a morsel of bread" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a very small piece of bread. While correct, its frequency is rare, lending itself to slightly more formal or descriptive writing, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. The phrase appears most commonly in news and media contexts. For simpler, more casual situations, consider using alternatives like "a piece of bread". When choosing your phrase, consider whether you want to emphasize scarcity, deliberation, or the small size of bread.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small piece of bread

Replaces "morsel" with a more common synonym, "small piece".

a tiny bit of bread

Uses "tiny bit" to emphasize the small quantity of bread.

a crumb of bread

Replaces "morsel" with "crumb", implying an even smaller fragment.

a sliver of bread

Suggests a thin, narrow piece of bread.

a fragment of bread

Uses "fragment" to denote a broken or incomplete piece.

a taste of bread

Focuses on the act of tasting a small amount of bread.

a bite of bread

Emphasizes the action of taking a small bite.

a piece of crust

Specifies that the small piece is from the crust of the bread.

a nubbin of bread

Uses a less common word, "nubbin", to describe a small, insignificant piece.

a portion of bread

Uses 'portion' to indicate a serving size that is small.

FAQs

How can I use "a morsel of bread" in a sentence?

You can use "a morsel of bread" to describe a small, often deliberately chosen piece of bread. For example, "She savored "a morsel of bread" with her soup."

What's a good substitute for "a morsel of bread"?

Alternatives include "a small piece of bread", "a bit of bread", or "a crumb of bread", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a morsel of bread" formal or informal?

"A morsel of bread" leans towards the formal side, suggesting a deliberate or refined choice. More informal options include "a piece of bread" or "a slice of bread".

In what kind of writing is "a morsel of bread" most appropriate?

The phrase ""a morsel of bread"" is suitable for descriptive writing, historical fiction, or contexts where a touch of formality or elegance is desired.