a significant chunk of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a significant chunk of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means a large or important portion or amount of something. You can use it to describe a significant part of something, often in relation to a whole or in comparison to other parts. Example: "John ate a significant chunk of the pizza, leaving only a few slices for the rest of us." In this sentence, "a significant chunk of" is used to describe the amount of pizza that John ate, emphasizing that it was a large portion and there was not much left for others.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

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

A significant chunk of those who buy music are young.

The Guardian

Legalization would make a significant chunk of that business vanish.

The Washington Post

The swelling water threatens a significant chunk of local history.

The Washington Post

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

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 of" when you want to emphasize that a part of something is not only large but also important or impactful. For example, "A significant chunk of the budget was allocated to research and development."

Common error

Avoid using "a significant chunk of" when a more precise quantifier would provide clarity. For instance, instead of saying "A significant chunk of the respondents agreed", consider using "Over 60% of the respondents agreed" for better accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant chunk of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a notable quantity or portion. Ludwig's examples show it describing amounts of money, time, populations, and other measurable entities, emphasizing the importance or impact of that quantity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

12%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant chunk of" is a versatile phrase used to denote a considerable and important portion of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various domains, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives like "a substantial portion of" and "a considerable part of" exist, this phrase effectively conveys both size and importance. When using it, ensure that it accurately reflects the magnitude and relevance of the portion being described and avoid overuse for precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial portion of

Replaces "chunk" with "portion", maintaining the meaning of a considerable amount.

a considerable part of

Uses "part" instead of "chunk", indicating a notable section of something.

a large segment of

Employs "segment" to convey a sizable division or component.

a notable fraction of

Replaces "chunk" with "fraction", suggesting a noteworthy proportion.

a major share of

Indicates a significant part in terms of ownership or distribution.

a sizeable piece of

Uses "piece" instead of "chunk", implying a considerable portion.

a good deal of

Emphasizes the quantity, suggesting a large amount.

an important element of

Focuses on the significance of the part rather than its size.

a considerable quantity of

Highlights the amount, suggesting a substantial quantity.

a noteworthy amount of

Stresses the noteworthiness of the amount or portion.

FAQs

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

Use "a significant chunk of" to indicate that a large and important portion of something is being referred to. For example, "A significant chunk of the project's funding came from private investors."

What are some alternatives to "a significant chunk of"?

You can use alternatives like "a substantial portion of", "a considerable part of", or "a large segment of" to convey a similar meaning.

Is there a difference between "a significant chunk of" and "a large part of"?

While both phrases indicate a considerable portion, "a significant chunk of" often implies that the portion is not only large but also important or impactful, whereas "a large part of" simply refers to size.

When is it appropriate to use "a significant chunk of" in formal writing?

It's appropriate to use "a significant chunk of" in formal writing when you want to emphasize that a particular portion is both large and has important implications. However, consider using more precise language if possible for enhanced clarity.