a patch of land

USAGE SUMMARY

"a patch of land" is a correctly usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to any relatively small piece of land, such as in this example sentence: "The farmer had a patch of land that he used to grow vegetables."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They opened an oriental shop, bought a patch of land and settled down.

The Guardian

Imagine a patch of land and then take all the flesh off it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The trick was simple enough, paving over a patch of land to make a parking lot.

The New York Times - Food

Nowhere is this more true than on a bench on a sunny, breezy day in the Jefferson Market Garden in the West Village, a patch of land far too elegant to be labeled a patch of land.

The New York Times - Travel

The Maríns had been given a patch of land to farm, and his mother cooked for the Canaleses.

The New Yorker

Gooseberries seem to be an allotment standard – it makes sense to grow this native shrub in a patch of land.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

My mum also gave me a patch of land in the garden, which I filled with nothing but peas.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But too many peoples are scrambling to establish nation-states on too small a patch of land.

The New Yorker

On some days the Israeli army declares a patch of land to be a live-fire military zone.

The Economist

Mr. Fiki, for one, has bought a patch of land along the road to build a gas station.

The New York Times

"The sale included the house, four acres of land, a patch of land that had once been a tennis court and a 10-acre island, Craro," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a patch of land" to describe a small, often distinct or isolated area of ground, especially when discussing agriculture, gardens, or undeveloped spaces. It's effective in both literal and figurative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using too many descriptive adjectives with "patch" that simply reiterate its small size. For instance, saying "a small patch of land" can be redundant, as "patch" already implies a limited area.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a patch of land" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It denotes a limited and often distinct area of ground.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a patch of land" is a versatile noun phrase used to describe a small, distinct area of ground. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and widely applicable, finding it common in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. While alternatives like "a plot of ground" or "a smallholding" exist, "a patch of land" maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse contexts. When writing, it is best to avoid redundancy by omitting unnecessary adjectives, keeping the description concise and impactful. Its frequent use across various sources solidifies its status as a reliable and effective phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a plot of ground

Replaces "land" with "ground", implying a similar area but with a slightly different connotation regarding cultivation or use.

a parcel of earth

Emphasizes the natural composition of the land, using "earth" instead of the more general "land".

a section of soil

Focuses specifically on the upper layer of earth where plants grow, differing from the broader term "land".

a piece of property

Shifts the focus to ownership and legal status, rather than just the physical area.

a smallholding

Implies a small area of land used for agricultural purposes, often in a rural setting.

a tract of terrain

Uses more formal language to describe a specific area of land, highlighting its physical characteristics.

a pocket of wilderness

Describes a small, natural area, often untouched or undeveloped.

a corner of the field

Specifies a location within a larger agricultural area, making it more specific than just "land".

a plot of real estate

Highlights the investment aspect by referring to real estate.

a zone of territory

Suggests a politically or geographically defined area.

FAQs

How can I use "a patch of land" in a sentence?

You can use "a patch of land" to refer to a small area of ground used for various purposes. For example, "He cultivated "a patch of land" behind his house to grow vegetables".

What are some alternatives to saying "a patch of land"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a plot of ground", "a piece of property", or "a smallholding".

Is "a patch of land" formal or informal?

"A patch of land" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality often depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What kind of imagery does "a patch of land" evoke?

"A patch of land" often suggests a small, somewhat isolated area, perhaps cultivated or distinct from its surroundings. It can evoke images of gardens, small farms, or undeveloped wilderness areas.