a piece of computer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a piece of computer" is not correct in standard English usage.
It is typically used incorrectly when referring to a part or component of a computer, as "computer" is an uncountable noun in this context. Example: "I need to replace a piece of the computer that is malfunctioning."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

BBQ?" A piece of computer hardware labelled "Hillary's Hard Drive: HEAVY USE: Now Perfectly Clean" rested on a coffee table.

The New Yorker

The Justice Department maintains that a more apt analogy is a piece of computer software that is widely available and can be reproduced at will.

The New York Times

This will come in the form of the much hyped "black boxes", a piece of computer technology enabling the security services to monitor the flow of data.

The Guardian

In January, Scott Isaacs started studying 104 words a day, the number he could fit on a piece of computer paper.

The New York Times

Across the bay from City College, a University of California, Berkeley iGEM team was building a piece of computer software that allowed it to design genetic parts by dragging and dropping DNA sequences together on the screen.

The New York Times - Magazine

The images are then sent to a specialized color house where a piece of computer hardware called a scanner converts the photo, either in the form of transparent film or print, into digital form for manipulation by a computer.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

That is when a piece of rogue computer software named Nimda spread through Internet-connected computers around the world and caused damage that was estimated in the billions of dollars.

The New York Times

Start with a piece of regular computer paper.

WikiHow

First take a piece of blank computer paper and cut it into the shape of a tooth.

WikiHow

He is a common sight amid the pedestrians in Midtown, who might encounter him at 8 a.m. on a weekday sitting in a swivel chair, hunched over a stubborn piece of computer hardware plugged into the base of a public light pole.

The New York Times

The scoring window that a fan sees on his computer screen is run by a small piece of computer code known as an applet.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a physical component, specify the type of component (e.g., "graphics card", "memory module") instead of using the vague phrase "a piece of computer".

Common error

Avoid using "a piece of computer" as it lacks specificity. Describe the component accurately to ensure clarity (e.g., "a new hard drive" instead of "a piece of computer").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a piece of computer" typically functions as a noun phrase, attempting to identify a component or element associated with a computer system. However, Ludwig AI marks this usage as not correct in standard English, it's better to specify the element.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

33%

Science

26%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a piece of computer" is commonly used across various sources, especially news and media outlets, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. It is recommended to use more specific and accurate terms like "computer component" or "part of a computer" for improved clarity. For formal writing, specifying the exact component is always best practice. Although common, especially in informal and neutral registers, it is more accurate to use more specific terms in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a computer component

Replaces the vague term "piece" with a more specific and accurate term for a computer part.

a part of a computer

Uses the more grammatically correct phrasing "part of" instead of "piece of" when referring to a computer.

a computer part

Simplifies the phrase to its most essential components, focusing on the tangible element.

an element of computer hardware

Replaces 'piece' with 'element' and clarifies that it pertains to hardware specifically.

a component of the computing system

Offers a more technical and systemic way of describing a computer part.

a section of the computer

Employs the term "section" to denote a distinct portion of the computer.

a unit of computer equipment

Uses 'unit' instead of 'piece' and focuses on the physical equipment aspect.

a fragment of computer technology

Substitutes 'piece' with 'fragment', emphasizing a smaller or broken-off portion.

a module in computer architecture

Implies the existence of a larger overall structure and emphasizes modular design.

a building block of a computer

Uses a metaphorical phrase to suggest that it is a constituent of some essential structure.

FAQs

What is a more accurate way to say "a piece of computer"?

Instead of "a piece of computer", consider using terms like "computer component", "computer part", or specifying the actual part, such as "graphics card".

Is it grammatically correct to say "a piece of computer"?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "a piece of computer" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use alternatives like "part of a computer" or "computer component".

When should I use a more specific term instead of "a piece of computer"?

Always aim for specificity. If you know what you are referring to, use that term. Instead of "a piece of computer", say "hard drive", "motherboard", or "CPU".

What's the difference between "a piece of computer" and "a part of a computer"?

"A part of a computer" is generally considered more grammatically sound because "computer" functions as an uncountable noun in this context. While "a piece of computer" is used, it's less precise than specifying "a component of a computer".