a small lump of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small lump of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a small, solid mass of a substance, often in a physical or metaphorical context. Example: "She picked up a small lump of clay and began to shape it into a figure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

It's just a small lump of lead.

The Times

Take a small lump of the kibbeh mixture the size of an egg.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Give us a minute.' I stepped back down two steps, avoiding a small lump of dog's business.

The Guardian

It was mycelium growing on a bale of straw, the caption explained, "waiting to be turned into broth before being served with a small lump of cultured butter".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The ALPHA team now plans to cool a small lump of antihydrogen and then watch it as it falls (or rises).

MIT Technology Review

It is also the convention to offer a small lump of coal along with the food to symbolize the hope that your hosts' house will have fuel throughout the coming year.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

These days, Dr. Gleave said, more patients are having ultrasound or CT scans for other reasons and learning that there is a small lump on one of their kidneys.

The New York Times

He took a smaller lump of aluminum, with a smooth, shiny surface, and smeared it with mercury.

The New Yorker

Alternatively, a state can get a block grant for Medicaid, where a state gets a small lump sum of federal money for its entire Medicaid program.

HuffPost

However, no changes were made to the parts of Trumpcare that devastate Medicaid with per capita caps, where each state gets a small lump sum of federal money per Medicaid enrollee.

Huffington Post

AHCA slashes $880 billion from Medicaid by changing its funding to per person caps, where each state gets a small lump sum of federal money per enrollee in its Medicaid program.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing textures, consider using "a small lump of" to vividly portray a solid mass that isn't perfectly smooth or uniform. For example, "a small lump of" clay, dough, or wax.

Common error

Avoid using "a small lump of" in highly formal or scientific writing where more precise or technical terminology might be appropriate. Opt for terms like "small mass", "nodule", or "aggregate" for greater accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small lump of" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies a small, solid mass of a particular substance. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small lump of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to depict a diminutive mass of a substance. As evidenced by Ludwig, it commonly appears in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. While versatile, it may be less appropriate in formal settings where more precise language is favored. Alternatives like "a tiny piece of" or "a little chunk of" can provide similar meaning with slight variations. Remember to consider context when choosing the most suitable expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tiny piece of

Emphasizes the small size of the piece.

a bit of

Simplifies the phrase to a more general term for a small quantity.

a little chunk of

Highlights the irregular shape and small size.

a morsel of

Implies a small, tasty piece, often of food.

a fragment of

Implies the lump is a broken part of something larger.

a trace of

Suggests a very small, almost undetectable amount.

a speck of

Suggests an extremely small and often insignificant amount.

a touch of

Implies a light application or presence of something.

a dash of

Typically used for liquids or powders, implying a very small amount added.

a grain of

Refers to something granular and very small.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small lump of" to describe a diminutive, solid mass. For example, "She found "a small lump of" clay on the potter's wheel".

What is a good alternative to "a small lump of"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "a tiny piece of", "a bit of", or "a little chunk of".

Is it ever inappropriate to use "a small lump of"?

While grammatically correct, "a small lump of" may sound too informal for scientific or technical contexts. In these cases, consider more precise terminology.

What does "a small lump of" typically describe?

It generally describes solid substances. For liquids or powders, other phrases like "a drop of" or "a pinch of" would be more appropriate.