a plate of chips

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a plate of chips" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a serving of fried potato slices, typically in a casual dining context. Example: "I ordered a plate of chips to share with my friends while we waited for our main courses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

In one very assured scene we see Leigh-Anne feeding her baby a plate of chips.

The Guardian - Film

Waiting for a plate of chips and bacon in an old-fashioned cafe provides the perfect opportunity to people watch.

The Times

When you are this filled with pain and self-loathing, the quick fix of a plate of chips helps.

The Guardian - Opinion

Previously, some would come in and buy only a plate of chips, but that is no longer allowed.

The Guardian

An often-cited contemporary example is nanosalt, smaller grains of salt that provide better coverage of a plate of chips while reducing the overall amount of salt used.

The Guardian

Our mum would make us a plate of chips and soon enough we would be back out on the playground, Lorimer, Bremner and Shilton about to resume another classic; jumpers for goalposts, next goal wins.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

If me having 30 second joy-ride somewhere between a plate of cheesy chips and a Hot Chip DJ set means you break your ankle on a discarded canister, well that's a price I'm willing to pay.

Vice

My favourite by far was the man who simply chose a plate of curry chips for his profile picture.

Independent

When hunger is gnawing, there is a food we find almost impossible to resist: a plate of hot chips, sprinkled with plenty of salt.

The Guardian

There's a joyous anarchy once the monster enters Bernard's house: he does forward rolls, throws himself around the stage, greedily scoffs a plate of paper chips and peas, then leapfrogs over the telly.

The Guardian

Consider a simple example: In a recent study at Harvard University, volunteers were seated at a table with a plate of potato chips directly in front of them and another food tucked away unobtrusively in the corner of the room.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a plate of chips" when you want to describe a casual serving of fried potatoes, typically in a pub or informal setting. Be mindful that "chips" refers to what Americans would call "fries".

Common error

Avoid using "a plate of chips" when you actually mean "a bag of crisps". In British English, "chips" are thicker-cut fried potatoes, while "crisps" are the thin, crunchy snack sold in bags.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a plate of chips" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition, as seen in Ludwig's examples. It denotes a specific serving of a particular food item.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Lifestyle

20%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a plate of chips" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a serving of fried potatoes. According to Ludwig AI, it's most frequently found in News & Media, Lifestyle and Opinion contexts, with a neutral to informal register. When using the phrase, remember that "chips" refers to thick-cut fries in British English, and be mindful of the distinction between "chips" and "crisps". For alternative phrasing, consider options like "a serving of chips" or simply "fries" if appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a serving of chips

Replaces "plate" with "serving", emphasizing the portion.

a dish of chips

Substitutes "plate" with "dish", offering a slight variation in presentation.

a bowl of chips

Replaces "plate" with "bowl", indicating a different type of container.

a large plate of chips

Adds "large" to describe the quantity, making it a more generous serving.

a portion of chips

Similar to "serving", focusing on the amount provided.

a mountain of chips

Uses "mountain" for emphasis on a very large quantity, creating a more dramatic image.

chips and dip platter

Specifies that chips are served with dip, altering the meaning to include an accompaniment.

fries

Uses the shorter, more general term for fried potatoes.

a side of chips

Indicates that the chips are served as a side dish.

a heap of chips

Uses "heap" to describe an informal and generous amount.

FAQs

What's the difference between "chips" and "fries"?

In British English, "chips" are thick-cut fried potatoes, while "fries" is less common. In American English, "fries" is the standard term, and "chips" typically refers to what British English calls "crisps."

What can I say instead of "a plate of chips"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a serving of chips", "a dish of chips", or simply "fries" (in American English).

Is "a plate of chips" formal or informal?

The phrase "a plate of chips" is generally considered informal and is best suited for casual contexts like pubs, diners, or informal gatherings. More formal settings might use descriptions like "pommes frites" or simply list "potatoes" as a side dish.

How can I use "a plate of chips" in a sentence?

You can use "a plate of chips" to describe a serving of chips in various contexts. For example, "I ordered a plate of chips with my burger", or "Let's share a plate of chips while we wait for our food."