a portion of cake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a portion of cake" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a specific amount or serving of cake, often in contexts related to food or dining. Example: "At the party, I enjoyed a delicious portion of cake that was topped with fresh strawberries."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most people prefer that the Jello be evenly spread throughout the cake, giving each bite an equal portion of cake and Jello.

WikiHow

After downing a portion of vegan tagine and some homemade cake, I asked how far we'd come.

The Guardian - Travel

I am still startled, I admit, at the sight of local, often elderly women and men selecting for their second breakfast two or three pieces of layer cake accompanied by a portion of whipped cream.

The New York Times - Travel

Evenly layer a portion of the syrup just made onto the surface of the sponge cake.

WikiHow

Begin frosting just as you did for the crumb coat, with a portion of icing right in the center of the top of the cake.

WikiHow

Weekend sailors who need extra ballast can take home a portion of the tasty if ineffably rich dessert called whoziwhatzit, a flourless chocolate cake the size of a small hatchet wedge.

The New York Times - Travel

You will take a portion of the butter when you wake up and decide you need to bake a cake.

Vice

They ate a lot of cake".

The Economist

"Hef's had a lot of cake".

The New Yorker

All That leg burning laptop power can be yours starting at $2,599 but if all the options are selected, I got it up to $6,704.

TechCrunch

Many don't eat cake, so a lot of cake gets thrown away.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific amount of cake, consider using "a slice of cake" or "a piece of cake" for more common and easily understood alternatives.

Common error

While grammatically correct, relying solely on "portion" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your vocabulary by using "slice", "piece", or "serving" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a portion of cake" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct. It refers to a specific amount or serving of cake.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a portion of cake" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to refer to an amount or serving of cake. Ludwig confirms its correctness. While acceptable, alternatives like "a slice of cake" or "a piece of cake" are more frequently used in common language. The phrase functions to describe or request a quantity of cake and is generally used in neutral to informal contexts. Given the lack of examples, its frequency is currently rated as missing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slice of cake

Replaces "portion" with "slice", suggesting a cut piece of cake.

a piece of cake

Substitutes "portion" with "piece", referring to an individual part of the cake.

a serving of cake

Uses "serving" instead of "portion", emphasizing the amount intended for one person.

a wedge of cake

Replaces "portion" with "wedge", implying a triangular piece cut from a round cake.

a helping of cake

Uses "helping" instead of "portion", referring to the amount of cake served.

part of the cake

Using "part" instead of "portion", suggesting a piece that is not necessarily a standard cut.

a share of cake

Replaces "portion" with "share", suggesting a part of the cake divided among multiple people.

a cut of cake

Substitutes "portion" with "cut", implying a piece that has been sliced from the cake.

some cake

Simplified version indicating an unspecified amount of cake.

cake

Even simpler version indicating an unspecified amount of cake.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a portion of cake"?

You can use alternatives like "a slice of cake", "a piece of cake", or "a serving of cake" depending on the context.

Is "a portion of cake" grammatically correct?

Yes, "a portion of cake" is grammatically correct and understandable. It refers to an amount or serving of cake.

How do I use "a portion of cake" in a sentence?

You can use "a portion of cake" to describe eating, serving, or sharing cake. For example: "I would like "a portion of cake", please." or "She gave me "a portion of cake"."

What's the difference between "a portion of cake" and "a piece of cake"?

While similar, "a piece of cake" is more commonly used in everyday language. "A portion of cake" might be used in more formal contexts or when emphasizing a specific amount.