a sliver of

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.

The New York Times

There is a sliver of light.

Nature

He's a sliver of the human condition.

The New Yorker

Yet a sliver of hope remains.

The New York Times

A sliver of new moon floats nearby.

The Guardian - Arts

A sliver of wood changed his fortunes.

The New York Times

But still, a sliver of the sun shone out.

Stanford University

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

University of California, Berkeley

He let slip a sliver of a smile.

The New York Times - Sports

You can even take a sliver of hope from it.

The New York Times

Online ads account for a sliver of revenue.

The New York Times

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".

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.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fragment of

This alternative suggests a broken or incomplete part of something, similar to a small piece.

a hint of

This implies a subtle indication or trace, focusing on the minimal presence of something.

a touch of

This refers to a slight amount added or present, often used for intangible qualities.

a trace of

This emphasizes the barely detectable presence of something, highlighting its minimal quantity.

a modicum of

This suggests a small but adequate amount, often implying that more is desired or needed.

a pinch of

This refers to a very small amount, often used in cooking or for abstract qualities.

a shred of

This implies a very small amount, often used when referring to hope or evidence.

a glimmer of

This conveys a faint or fleeting sign, typically of hope or understanding.

a smidgen of

This is an informal term for a very small amount, often used humorously.

a dash of

This is a small amount added to enhance something, similar to "a touch of".

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.