a small piece of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small piece of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a minor portion or fragment of something, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "She handed me a small piece of chocolate to satisfy my sweet tooth."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He found a small piece of agate.

The New York Times

She was hoping for a small piece of salvation.

The New York Times

"Everybody wants a small piece of the dream.

The New York Times

I also got a small piece of the business.

The New York Times

A small piece of plaster drops on his head.

The New Yorker

BADENHAUSEN: It's a small piece of the overall pie.

Forbes

Bowen is making a small piece of history, himself.

BBC

"It was just a small piece of the story.

BBC

Cargomatic just wants a small piece of that.

TechCrunch

HANA represents a small piece of what the company offers.

TechCrunch

It's a small piece of identification.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a small piece of" when you want to emphasize the limited quantity or significance of something without diminishing its importance entirely.

Common error

In formal writing, avoid repetitive use of "a small piece of". Opt for more precise terms like "segment", "portion", or "fraction" to maintain clarity and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small piece of" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It quantifies the noun, indicating a limited or minor portion. Ludwig examples show it used both literally (e.g., "a small piece of plaster") and figuratively (e.g., "a small piece of history"). Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

42%

News & Media

25%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small piece of" is a versatile and commonly used phrase that denotes a limited portion or fragment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in Wiki and News & Media sources, it serves to quantify and often downplay the significance of something. While perfectly acceptable, writers should consider more precise synonyms in formal settings to avoid repetition and enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a little bit of

Replaces "piece" with "bit", implying a slightly smaller or less defined amount.

a fragment of

Emphasizes the broken or incomplete nature of the portion.

a portion of

Suggests a more measured or deliberate division of something.

a sliver of

Implies a thin, narrow piece.

a fraction of

Highlights that the portion is a numerical division of the whole.

a morsel of

Suggests a tiny, often delicious, piece.

a touch of

Implies a very subtle or delicate amount.

a hint of

Similar to "touch of", but often used for intangible qualities.

a sample of

Indicates a representative piece taken for examination or testing.

an element of

Focuses on the component aspect of the part, rather than its size.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small piece of" to refer to a limited quantity of something, for example, "I only ate "a small piece of cake"".

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

Alternatives include "a little bit of", "a portion of", or "a fragment of depending on the context".

Is it correct to say "a small piece of" or should I use another expression?

Saying "a small piece of" is perfectly correct. However, you might choose other expressions like "a little bit" or "a sliver" for variety or emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use "a small piece of" in my writing?

It's appropriate when you want to describe something as being a minor or limited part of a larger whole, or to downplay the amount or significance of something without completely negating it.