a piece

USAGE SUMMARY

"a piece" is correct and usable in written English.
It typically means a portion, section, or amount of something. For example: "I only have a piece of the puzzle left to put together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A piece of bread.

The New Yorker

And what a piece!

The New York Times - Arts

It's of a piece.

The New York Times

Prices: $3.25 a piece.

The New York Times

Or perhaps a piece?

The New Yorker

A piece of bone".

The New Yorker

Everybody wanted a piece.

The New Yorker

You want a piece?

The New Yorker

I'm just a piece".

The New York Times - Sports

Steven accepted a piece.

The New Yorker

A piece of dirt.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a piece" to refer to a physical object, an abstract concept, or a portion of something larger. Ensure the context clarifies what the "piece" belongs to for better understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "a piece" without specifying what it refers to. Instead of saying "I need a piece", clarify with "I need a piece of paper" or "I need a piece of advice."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a piece" is as a noun phrase acting as a determiner and noun. Ludwig AI shows it is used to quantify or specify a portion of something, whether tangible (like "a piece of cake") or intangible (like "a piece of advice").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

42%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a piece" is a versatile phrase used to denote a part or portion of something, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct and sees very common usage across various contexts, including news, general reference, and science. While generally neutral in register, it's important to provide context to avoid vagueness. For alternatives, consider "a part", "a portion", or "a segment" depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a part

Replaces "piece" with a more general term for a portion of something.

a portion

Similar to "a piece", but often implies a measured or allocated amount.

a segment

Suggests a distinct section or division of a whole.

a fragment

Implies a broken or incomplete part.

an item

Replaces "piece" when referring to a single object within a set.

a share

Indicates a part that is allocated or received from a larger whole.

a component

Highlights the role of "piece" as a contributing part of a system.

a section

Refers to a clearly defined part of something.

a fraction

Emphasizes that "piece" is a numerical portion of something

a sample

Emphasizes that "piece" is a representative portion of something

FAQs

How can I use "a piece" in a sentence?

"A piece" can be used to refer to a fragment of something, like "a piece of cake", or to express wanting a share of something, as in "Can I have "a piece" of the action?".

What can I say instead of "a piece"?

You can use alternatives like "a part", "a portion", or "a segment" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a piece of" something, or is there a better way to phrase it?

Saying "a piece of" something is perfectly correct and common. There usually isn't a better way, unless you want to be more specific, such as using "a slice of" for food or "a section of" for something larger.

What does it mean when someone says "give me a piece of your mind"?

The idiom "give me a piece of your mind" means to express your thoughts or feelings, often in an angry or critical way. It implies a scolding or reprimand.