a piece of something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a piece of something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a portion or fragment of a larger whole, often in a literal or metaphorical sense. Example: "She handed me a piece of cake from the dessert table."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

A piece of something, yes, but scholarship?

The New Yorker

"It's a piece of something, I'll give it that".

The Guardian - Film

"You could have the whole of nothing, or a piece of something," he said.

The New York Times

"First I saw a piece of something flying through the air.

The Guardian

"The reality is people want a piece of something they can't be," says Eli Portnoy, a branding strategist.

The New York Times

Whether it be in the form of ideology, value, self-representation, or any other number of things, making for an artist means giving a piece of something personal.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

We saw a piece of air-pollution on the corner of 55th St. & 5th Avenue-a piece of something, about the size of a hat check, but thinner than the tunnest tissue paper, & coal black.

The New Yorker

By Gerald Jonas The New Yorker, January 26 , 1963P. 23 We saw a piece of air-pollution on the corner of 55th St. & 5th Avenue-a piece of something, about the size of a hat check, but thinner than the tunnest tissue paper, & coal black.

The New Yorker

"I love reading," says Sam Rankin, a receptionist and trainee barber, "but it's so nice to have something on a piece of paper, something tangible.

The Guardian - Books

All you need is a piece of paper, something to write with, and a shovel or trowel.

Cornell University

It was almost creating a piece of art, something I wanted to hear and then whatever would follow is fine".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a piece of something", ensure the context clearly defines what the 'something' refers to, maintaining clarity and avoiding ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a piece of something" in contexts where the 'something' is unclear or undefined. This can lead to vague and less impactful writing. Be specific about what the piece belongs to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a piece of something" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its role in identifying a fragment or component of a larger entity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a piece of something" is a versatile noun phrase that denotes a part or fragment of a larger entity, suitable for diverse contexts. As Ludwig AI's analysis reveals, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used in news media, academic writing, and scientific discourse. When incorporating this phrase into your writing, ensure that the context clearly defines the 'something' to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity. Related phrases such as ""a part of something"" and ""an element of something"" offer viable alternatives depending on the intended emphasis. While "a piece of something" enjoys widespread usage, mindful application ensures precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a part of something

Uses "part" instead of "piece", providing a more general alternative.

a fragment of something

Replaces "piece" with "fragment", emphasizing incompleteness.

a portion of something

Substitutes "piece" with "portion", indicating a specific amount or share.

a segment of something

Changes "piece" to "segment", implying a defined section.

an element of something

Replaces "piece" with "element", focusing on the role as a component.

a component of something

Replaces "piece" with "component", emphasizing the function in a system.

a bit of something

Uses "bit" instead of "piece", indicating a small amount.

a shard of something

Substitutes "piece" with "shard", referring to a broken fragment.

a sliver of something

Changes "piece" to "sliver", implying a thin, narrow fragment.

a sample of something

Replaces "piece" with "sample", indicating a representative portion.

FAQs

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

Use "a piece of something" to refer to a portion or fragment of a larger item or concept. For instance, "He wanted "a piece of the action"" or "She found "a piece of evidence" at the crime scene."

What are some alternatives to "a piece of something"?

Alternatives include "a part of something", "a portion of something", or "an element of something". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a piece of something" formal or informal?

"A piece of something" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What does it mean to want "a piece of something"?

To want "a piece of something" often means to desire a share or involvement in something, such as "a piece of the pie" (meaning a share of profits or success) or "a piece of the action" (meaning a part in an exciting or profitable activity).