a piece of refuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a piece of refuse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a single item of waste or garbage, often in discussions about cleanliness or environmental issues. Example: "After the picnic, we made sure to collect every piece of refuse to keep the park clean."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

There's no difference between a person using drugs and a piece of refuse".

The Guardian

Instead, it looks backward to an object's moment of obsolescence -- the instant, for example, that a cabinet goes from being a part of a household, with a family history etched in layers of paint, to being a piece of refuse.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In the cemetery that lies on this teetering hillside, Christine Borland and Brody Condon have created a piece of work that refuses to go away.

The Guardian - Arts

Jacqueline Craig, 49, said the neighbor grabbed her son by the neck because he tossed a piece of paper and refused to pick it up, according to the video, taken by Craig's cousin Porsha Craver, the Star-Telegram reports.

Huffington Post

Most unusual piece of refuse: A city that collects the strangest things also discards the strangest things, and they don't all fit in a trash bag.

The New York Times - Travel

"The pit, a shallow excavation measuring a gargantuan 10 acres, was used to incinerate every single piece of refuse generated by Balad's thousands of residents," Drummond writes, about a burn pit in Iraq.

Huffington Post

Jenny refuses a piece of cake, offered to her, saying she is on a strict diet.

The New Yorker

Everything consumed by the tribe comes in that way, and every piece of refuse must be flown out.

The Economist

Even for the meticulous recyclers -- those of us who diligently sort every piece of refuse, packing each banana peel and empty milk jug into separate bags and putting them into the appropriate bins at the curb -- the false promise of "away" still cushions us.

Huffington Post

For context, the last time royal assent was refused for a piece of legislation was in 1707.

The Guardian

It was already a piece of remarkable democratic arrogance that David Cameron and Osborne refused to say where the £12bn of benefit cuts would fall – and dereliction on the part of all the broadcasting interviewers not to hammer hard enough on this one point with every minister in their studios so as to force them to reply.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally about waste management or environmental issues, use "a piece of refuse" for clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "a piece of refuse" in casual conversation; it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "trash" or "garbage".

Linguistic Context

A piece of refuse functions as a noun phrase, specifically a common noun phrase, that identifies a single item of discarded waste. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe both literal trash and, metaphorically, something considered worthless. This structure allows it to serve as the subject or object of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a piece of refuse" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote a single item of waste. Ludwig AI indicates that while correct, this phrase is more formal and less common in everyday speech. It's most appropriate in formal writing, reports, and discussions related to waste management or environmental concerns. Consider less formal alternatives like "a piece of trash" or "a bit of waste" for casual conversations to avoid sounding overly stiff.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bit of waste

Replaces 'piece' with 'bit', offering a slightly less formal alternative.

a scrap of rubbish

Substitutes 'piece' with 'scrap' and 'refuse' with 'rubbish', creating a more casual tone common in British English.

a fragment of garbage

Replaces 'piece' with 'fragment' and 'refuse' with 'garbage', emphasizing the broken or discarded nature of the item.

an item of junk

Substitutes the whole expression for a more generic term.

a disposable item

Focuses on the intended use as something meant to be thrown away.

a waste product

Highlights that the object is a byproduct of a process and no longer useful.

discarded material

Emphasizes the act of throwing something away.

rejected substance

Indicates the material was refused or considered unusable.

unwanted debris

Refers to scattered pieces of waste, often after destruction.

throwaway object

Highlights the easy disposition of the item.

FAQs

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

You can use "a piece of refuse" to refer to a single item of waste. For example: "Please dispose of "a piece of refuse" in the designated bin."

What's a less formal way to say "a piece of refuse"?

Less formal alternatives include "a piece of trash", "a piece of garbage", or "a bit of waste".

Is "refuse" the same as "garbage"?

"Refuse" is a more formal and general term for waste matter. "Garbage" typically refers to food waste. While they can sometimes be used interchangeably, "refuse" has a broader application.

When is it appropriate to use the term "a piece of refuse"?

The term "a piece of refuse" is suitable for formal writing, reports on waste management, environmental discussions, or any context where a precise and somewhat detached tone is desired.