a small bite of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small bite of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small portion or sample of food or something that can be consumed. Example: "I took a small bite of the delicious chocolate cake before deciding to save the rest for later."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

A small bite of chocolate, a modest sip of wine.

The New York Times - Magazine

An enigmatic menu item boasts wild scallops and "mystery twin" — a small bite of turnip hidden among the creamy, sesame-encrusted shellfish.

The New Yorker

IN THE French classic "Remembrance of Things Past", Proust's main character describes how a small bite of a madeleine cake dipped in linden tea unleashes a cascade of memories from his childhood.

The Economist

You're right that companies may take a small bite of technologies like virtualization and green IT rather than a big bite.

Forbes

He'd chosen to take a small bite of ESPA Time with an à la carte treatment off the spa menu, the "back, face and scalp massage".

Forbes

Take a small bite of the bar.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Take a small bite off the side of the blackberry.

WikiHow

But by fixing the law, and taking a small bite out of the industry's profits, Mr. Bush can honor his pledge to take bipartisan steps toward common goals like affordable drug prices.

The New York Times

So Phobos takes only a small bite out of the sun during a Martian solar eclipse.

Huffington Post

And families trying to accumulate a fixed amount of wealth for retirement or their children's college fund could devote less of their incomes to saving, since in most cases the wealth tax would take a smaller bite of their interest, dividends and capital gains than the current income tax.

The New York Times

"At select stores where it is relevant for the neighborhood, we are focused on creating an atmosphere where our customers can relax with a friend, a small bite to eat and a cup of coffee or glass of wine".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing culinary experiences, use "a small bite of" to highlight the initial, often impactful, taste of a dish. For example, "A small bite of the chocolate lava cake revealed a molten, rich center."

Common error

Avoid redundant descriptions. Instead of saying "a very small bite of", consider if "a bite of" or "a tiny bite of" already conveys the intended meaning effectively.

Linguistic Context

"A small bite of" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a minimal quantity of something, typically food or drink. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a common and correct English phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

30%

News & Media

42%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small bite of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase, primarily employed to describe the consumption of a minimal portion, predominantly in contexts related to food. As stated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is a correct and common expression in English. It's versatile enough for news and general writing but might be too informal for strictly academic or scientific discourse. When using the phrase, ensure that "small" is not redundant and consider alternatives like "a tiny nibble of" or "a little taste of" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tiny nibble of

Replaces "bite" with "nibble" and "small" with "tiny", emphasizing an even smaller portion.

a little taste of

Shifts the focus from the physical act of biting to the sensory experience of tasting.

a morsel of

Uses "morsel" to indicate a small, often delicious, piece of food.

a spoonful of

Specifies the quantity using a "spoonful", suggesting a small, measured amount.

a fragment of

Replaces "bite" with "fragment", suggesting an incomplete or broken-off piece.

a hint of

Emphasizes the subtle presence of a flavor or experience.

a sample of

Suggests a small portion used for testing or evaluation.

a dash of

Indicates a very small amount, typically of a liquid or powder.

a sliver of

Refers to a thin, narrow piece.

a touch of

Similar to "a hint of", emphasizing a subtle amount or influence.

FAQs

How can I use "a small bite of" in a sentence?

You can use "a small bite of" to describe taking a minimal portion of food or drink. For instance, "I took a small bite of the apple to see if it was ripe."

What are some alternatives to "a small bite of"?

Alternatives include "a tiny nibble of", "a little taste of", or "a morsel of", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a small bite from" instead of "a small bite of"?

While "a small bite from" isn't grammatically incorrect, "a small bite of" is more commonly used and sounds more natural when referring to food or drink.

What's the difference between "a small bite of" and "a small piece of"?

"A small bite of" typically refers to food that's meant to be eaten, while "a small piece of" can refer to any object or material, edible or not.