a solid chunk of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a solid chunk of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a substantial or significant amount of something, often in a figurative sense. Example: "After a long day at work, I treated myself to a solid chunk of chocolate cake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

THE Elevation Dock is fashioned from a solid chunk of aluminium.

The Economist

I would agree almost entirely, except that moving the wine might make up a solid chunk of the time as well.

Cornell University

Fay Cadogan-Peters, a conductor distributing revised subway maps at the Herald Square station, takes a solid chunk of ice to work in a thermos mug.

The New York Times

The character Keitel played may have been falling apart, but as an actor he remained a solid chunk of God's earth, entirely grounded; Nicolas Cage is pixillated.

The New Yorker

It was a solid chunk of sweet piggyness, the whole cut through by a tidy pile of the nutty lentils, mixed in with the spiky vinaigrette.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Miller Theater continues its season-long series Bach in Context with a solid chunk of repertory: Bach's seven concertos for solo keyboard.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

When compared to the percentages two days after its launch it looks like Firefox 4 has taken a solid chunk out of Firefox 3.6 usage: On March 22 IE had 45% of the global market, followed by Firefox 3.6 with 30% and Chrome with 17%.

TechCrunch

We pretty much always say the same thing: "Take it with a grain of salt", "they might just be guessing, or it could very well be a typo"., etc — but a surprisingly solid chunk of the time, the leaked cases end up being spot on.

TechCrunch

Luckily, I have a big, red rotary dial phone, so I'm screeching into a lovely, solid chunk of plastic.

The Guardian - Money

"How other women your age got on today," was on the right-hand side, a big, solid chunk of activity and well-being.

BBC

I'll say again, at the risk of sounding like a cracked record, that [Kinect initially being "casual"] doesn't in any way, shape or form represent us stepping away from the core – which is why, during the press conference at E3 for example, we spent a good solid chunk of time around Halo Reach, Gears of War and Fable.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a solid chunk of" to emphasize that a particular portion is significant or substantial. It is more impactful than simply stating 'some' or 'a little'.

Common error

Avoid using "a solid chunk of" when describing abstract or intangible things that can't be conceptually divided into 'chunks'. For example, it would be odd to say 'a solid chunk of happiness' but it's appropriate to say 'a solid chunk of my day'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a solid chunk of" primarily functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a significant or substantial portion of something. This is confirmed by Ludwig, which provides multiple examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a solid chunk of" is a versatile phrase used to describe a substantial portion or amount of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While phrases like "a substantial portion of" or "a significant amount of" can serve as alternatives, "a solid chunk of" often implies a more tangible and impactful portion. When using the phrase, ensure it aligns with the concept of divisibility, avoiding abstract or intangible contexts. This ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial portion of

Emphasizes the considerable size or amount.

a significant amount of

Highlights the importance or impact of the quantity.

a sizable piece of

Implies a large or considerable fragment.

a good deal of

Suggests a large quantity or extent.

a large segment of

Refers to a considerable section or division.

a considerable fraction of

Highlights the importance or impact of the quantity.

a respectable amount of

Indicates the quantity deserves attention.

an appreciable quantity of

Stresses that the quantity is noticeable or measurable.

a hefty share of

Conveys that amount is big or heavy.

a generous helping of

Emphasizes the abundance of something.

FAQs

How can I use "a solid chunk of" in a sentence?

The phrase "a solid chunk of" is used to describe a substantial or significant portion of something. For example, "I spent "a solid chunk of" my vacation reading books".

What can I say instead of "a solid chunk of"?

You can use alternatives like "a substantial portion of", "a significant amount of", or "a sizable piece of" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "a solid chunk of" or "a large amount of"?

Both "a solid chunk of" and "a large amount of" can be used to indicate a considerable quantity. However, "a solid chunk of" often implies a more tangible or easily visualized portion, whereas "a large amount of" is more general and can refer to both tangible and intangible quantities.

What is the difference between "a solid chunk of" and "a piece of"?

"A piece of" simply indicates a portion of something, while "a solid chunk of" suggests a significant, substantial, or impressive portion. "A solid chunk of" carries more emphasis and implies something of considerable size or impact.