a significant chunk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant chunk" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a large portion or amount of something, often in a context where size or importance is being emphasized. Example: "The project required a significant chunk of our budget, which we had not anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Considering that Iraq only takes in about $10 billion a year in oil revenue it is a significant chunk of change".

Forbes

One major artist's oeuvre has lost a significant chunk".

The Guardian

A significant chunk of those who buy music are young.

The Guardian

It changes your mindset when a single game's development represents a significant chunk of life.

The Guardian - Tech

That would account for a significant chunk of the jobs lost during the period.

The New York Times

It turns out Appirio cut a significant chunk from its insurance bill by doing just that.

The Guardian - Tech

Slater said dropping Formula One would make up a "significant chunk" of the £35m savings target.

The Guardian

That could affect a significant chunk of the $13.5 billion in annual federal spending for travel.

The New York Times

In fact, a significant chunk of the show's audience are hipcat thirtysomethings or younger.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A significant chunk of working-class Britain feels alienated from Labour.

The Guardian - Opinion

This baseball, it is common knowledge, is worth a significant chunk of change.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a significant chunk" to emphasize the substantial size or importance of a portion, particularly when discussing resources, finances, or abstract concepts like time or effort.

Common error

While acceptable in many situations, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise or sophisticated alternatives like "a substantial portion" or "a considerable segment" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant chunk" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that the noun represents a considerable portion of something larger. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment, as seen in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a significant chunk" is a versatile and commonly used expression to denote a substantial portion of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct, and its usage spans across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, it may be advisable to opt for more formal alternatives in academic or highly professional settings. Remember to use "a significant chunk" when you want to emphasize the notable size or importance of a specific portion, and be mindful of the overall tone and formality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial portion

Emphasizes the amount's considerable size or importance.

a considerable segment

Highlights a noteworthy part of a larger whole.

a sizable fraction

Implies a notable proportion relative to the whole.

a large segment

Directly indicates a major part of something.

a notable share

Focuses on the idea of having a meaningful part of something.

a considerable slice

Emphasizes the portion as being quite large.

a major piece

Indicates a very important part of something.

a good percentage

Focuses on the proportion of the amount.

a healthy slice

Highlights that the portion is abundant.

a hefty amount

Emphasizes the size or weight of the portion.

FAQs

How can I use "a significant chunk" in a sentence?

The phrase "a significant chunk" refers to a noticeably large portion of something. For instance, "A significant chunk of the budget was allocated to marketing."

What are some alternatives to "a significant chunk"?

Alternatives include "a substantial portion", "a considerable amount", or "a sizeable part" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a significant chunk" in formal writing?

While "a significant chunk" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "a substantial portion" or "a considerable segment" may be preferred in highly formal contexts.

What makes "a significant chunk" different from "a small portion"?

"A significant chunk" indicates a large or important part, while "a small portion" refers to a minimal amount. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the size of the portion being discussed.