a piece of

USAGE SUMMARY

'a piece of' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use 'a piece of' to refer to a unit or portion of something that is distinguished from or considered separately from the whole. For example: "I bought a piece of cake at the bakery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A piece of bread.

The New Yorker

A piece of bone".

The New Yorker

A piece of dirt.

The New Yorker

A piece of him.

The New York Times

"A piece of paper!

The New York Times

"A piece of intestine".

The New York Times - Health

A piece of crumpled paper?

The New York Times

You're a piece of shit.

Independent

"It's a piece of cake.

The New Yorker

It's a piece of history".

The New York Times - Arts

He's a piece of work.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a piece of" to refer to a tangible item or an abstract concept, providing a clear indication of a portion or component being discussed.

Common error

While versatile, excessive use of "a piece of" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your vocabulary by using more specific terms like "segment", "portion", or "fragment" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a piece of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifying a portion or part of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Examples include "a piece of cake" or "a piece of advice".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

40%

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a piece of" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to denote a portion or fragment of something, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its frequency is very common, appearing most often in News & Media and Wiki content. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for various contexts, though more formal alternatives might be preferable in certain academic or professional settings. Remember to use it mindfully, avoiding overuse and opting for more specific vocabulary when appropriate to maintain clarity and conciseness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slice of

Replaces "piece" with "slice", implying a thin, flat portion.

a segment of

Substitutes "piece" with "segment", suggesting a defined part of a whole.

a portion of

Uses "portion" instead of "piece", indicating a share or serving.

a fragment of

Replaces "piece" with "fragment", implying a broken or incomplete part.

an element of

Substitutes "piece" with "element", suggesting a component part of a larger whole.

a section of

Uses "section" instead of "piece", indicating a distinct part or division.

a bit of

Replaces "piece" with "bit", suggesting a small amount or quantity.

a scrap of

Substitutes "piece" with "scrap", implying a leftover or discarded fragment.

a shred of

Uses "shred" instead of "piece", indicating a thin strip or fragment.

a sample of

Replaces "piece" with "sample", suggesting a representative part of a larger whole.

FAQs

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

Use "a piece of" to denote a portion of something, as in "I ate "a piece of cake"" or "He gave me "a piece of advice"".

What's a good alternative to "a piece of" when referring to information?

When referring to information, consider using phrases like "a bit of information", "a detail", or "an item" depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "a piece of"?

While generally correct, avoid using "a piece of" when a more specific term would be clearer or more appropriate. For example, instead of "a piece of music", use "a song" or "a melody".

Can "a piece of" be used to describe abstract concepts?

Yes, "a piece of" can effectively describe abstract concepts such as "a piece of evidence", ""a piece of advice"", or "a piece of art".