Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

a sliver of

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sliver of" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a small, thin, and/or narrow piece of something. Here are a few examples of "a sliver of" being used in a sentence: - "She only ate a sliver of cake since she was on a diet." - "The old man's hands shook as he sliced a sliver of cheese from the block." - "I could see a sliver of light coming through the crack in the door." - "The artist carefully added a sliver of gold paint to the canvas." - "He only gave me a sliver of the profits from the sale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It offered a sliver of optimism.

News & Media

The New York Times

There is a sliver of light.

Science & Research

Nature

He's a sliver of the human condition.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Yet a sliver of hope remains.

News & Media

The New York Times

A sliver of new moon floats nearby.

A sliver of wood changed his fortunes.

News & Media

The New York Times

But still, a sliver of the sun shone out.

Behind it, though, lies a sliver of campus history.

He let slip a sliver of a smile.

You can even take a sliver of hope from it.

News & Media

The New York Times

Online ads account for a sliver of revenue.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sliver of" to emphasize the smallness or thinness of what you're describing. It's particularly effective when contrasting with a larger whole or when the small amount is significant.

Common error

Avoid using "a sliver of" to describe abstract quantities that don't inherently have a physical dimension. For example, instead of "a sliver of time", consider "a moment" or "a brief period".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sliver of" functions as a modifier followed by a noun, serving to describe a small, thin portion or amount of something. Ludwig AI provides examples such as "a sliver of hope" or "a sliver of light", highlighting its role in specifying the quantity of the noun it precedes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

11%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sliver of" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe a small, thin piece or amount of something. Ludwig AI indicates that it functions as a modifier, emphasizing the minimal quantity of the noun it describes. It is versatile, appearing in neutral to formal contexts, particularly in News & Media. Related phrases include "a fragment of" and "a hint of", offering nuanced alternatives for conveying small quantities or degrees.

FAQs

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

Use "a sliver of" to describe a small, thin piece or amount of something. For example, "I ate only "a sliver of" the pie" or "There was "a sliver of" hope left".

What's a good alternative to "a sliver of" when describing hope?

When describing hope, you could use phrases like "a glimmer of hope", "a shred of hope", or "a ray of hope", which all emphasize a small but significant amount of optimism.

Is it appropriate to use "a sliver of" in formal writing?

Yes, "a sliver of" is appropriate in formal writing when used to accurately describe a small or thin piece of something. However, consider more precise or formal alternatives like "a fragment of" or "a trace of" depending on the specific context.

What words typically follow "a sliver of"?

Common words that follow "a sliver of" include nouns like "light", "hope", "moon", "cake", "wood", or "land", referring to items or concepts that can be divided into small, thin portions.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: