a roll of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a roll of' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is usually used to refer to a long, cylindrical collection of something. For example, you could say: "I picked up a roll of duct tape at the hardware store."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You'll need: a roll of packing tape and a rolling pin. a roll of packing tape and a rolling pin.

WikiHow

Hitching is a roll of the dice.

The Guardian - Opinion

A roll of the dice.

The New York Times - Sports

Luck was a roll of the dice.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Bargaining is a roll of the dice.

The Guardian - Business

Don't forget a roll of toilet paper!

The Guardian - Travel

Talk about a roll of the dice.

The New York Times

"It's like a roll of the dice.

The New York Times

It's literally a roll of the dice.

The New York Times - Magazine

A roll of musketry struck him as sublime.

The New Yorker

John peeled the wrapper off a roll of antacids.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a roll of", ensure the context clearly indicates that the item is wound around itself. For example, "a roll of tape" is correct, but "a roll of apples" is not.

Common error

Avoid using "a roll of" for items that are not typically wound or wrapped. Saying "a roll of coins" is incorrect; "a pile of coins" would be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a roll of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifying a particular quantity or unit of something that is wound or wrapped. Ludwig confirms its correctness in written English. The examples include "a roll of tape", "a roll of toilet paper", etc.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

51%

News & Media

47%

Science

0.01%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0.01%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a roll of" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe materials or items wound around a core. According to Ludwig, this usage is correct in written English. It's most frequently found in Wiki and News & Media sources, with a neutral register suitable for both informal and formal contexts. When using "a roll of", ensure that the item is actually wound or wrapped to avoid misuse, as the phrase specifies both quantity and format. As per Ludwig, consider alternatives like "a quantity of" or "a supply of" if the rolled format isn't relevant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a quantity of

Emphasizes the amount or extent of something, rather than its rolled form.

a supply of

Highlights the availability of something, focusing on its provision.

a collection of

Stresses that something is gathered together, not necessarily in a rolled form.

a length of

Focuses on a specific dimension of the item, rather than its being rolled.

a piece of

Refers to a portion of something, without specifying its shape or form.

a mass of

Highlights the bulk or quantity of something, with less emphasis on its structure.

an amount of

General term to express the quantity of something, without specifying its form.

a pile of

Indicates an accumulation of something, distinct from a rolled configuration.

a stack of

Refers to a neat arrangement of something, differing from a roll.

a batch of

Highlights something produced at one time or in one group.

FAQs

How can I use "a roll of" in a sentence?

Use "a roll of" to describe materials or items wound around a core, such as "a roll of paper towels" or "a roll of film".

What are some synonyms for "a roll of"?

Depending on the context, you might use "a quantity of" or "a supply of", though they don't directly imply the rolled shape.

Is it correct to say "a roll of" for items that aren't rolled?

No, "a roll of" is specifically for items that are wound or wrapped around something. Use other descriptive phrases for non-rolled items.

Which is more appropriate: "a roll of paper" or "a sheet of paper"?

Use "a roll of paper" when referring to paper that's wound on a core. "A sheet of paper" is for individual pieces.