a solid piece of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a solid piece of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is substantial, reliable, or well-made, often referring to an object or a concept. Example: "The architect presented a solid piece of evidence to support his design choices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a solid piece of work.

The Washington Post

This is a solid piece of scholarship and one most worthy of serious attention.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

From the Philippines, the beautifully grained tabletop is a solid piece of wood ($27,000).

The New York Times

"This is a solid piece of work that really has the potential for being a true advance," he said.

The New York Times

Instead of simply boring out a solid piece of metal, Armstrong forged his barrel from wrought iron (later from steel).

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We now had a solid piece of evidence against the biggest carting company in the area," Mr. Bridgwood said.

The New York Times

After eight days of preparation, their collection of cells developed into a solid piece of twitching tissue.

MIT Technology Review

The story isn't earth-shattering, and the filmmaking isn't especially imaginative, but the production is a solid piece of suspense.

The Washington Post

The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus chassis is milled from a solid piece of aluminium alloy whose composition is secret.

The Guardian - Tech

You will never see a solid piece of stuff in our solar system that is any older".

The New York Times - Science

At 180cm long it may leave taller guests with cold feet but it's a great price for a solid piece of furniture.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a solid piece of" to emphasize the substantial, reliable, or well-made nature of something, whether it's a physical object, a piece of evidence, or a contribution.

Common error

While versatile, avoid relying too heavily on "a solid piece of". Vary your language with more specific descriptors to add nuance and precision to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a solid piece of" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes something as being substantial, reliable, or well-made. Ludwig shows this usage across various contexts, highlighting its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

16%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a solid piece of" is a versatile phrase used to describe something as reliable, well-made, or substantial. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it's grammatically correct and very commonly used, particularly in News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias. The phrase functions as an adjectival modifier, conveying the quality and reliability of whatever it describes. The alternative phrases emphasize the reliability, strength or quality. Therefore, while "a solid piece of" is a helpful phrase, it's advisable to vary language to add nuance and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reliable example of

Focuses on the dependability and trustworthiness of the example.

a dependable instance of

Highlights the consistency and reliability of the instance.

a quality portion of

Stresses high quality.

a well-built component of

Highlights the good construction and quality of a component.

a substantial amount of

Emphasizes the quantity or size rather than quality.

a robust element of

Focuses on the resilience and strength of the element.

an impressive unit of

Stresses the idea of quality, worth.

a sturdy portion of

Emphasizes strength and durability more than other aspects.

a sound section of

Indicates the section is reasonable and well-founded.

a firm segment of

Emphasizes stability and unwavering support provided by segment.

FAQs

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

You can use "a solid piece of" to describe something reliable, well-made, or substantial. For example, "This research provides "a solid piece of evidence" to support the theory" or "The furniture is "a solid piece of furniture" that will last for years."

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a reliable example of", "a substantial amount of", or "a dependable instance of".

Is it correct to say "a solid piece of" when referring to abstract concepts?

Yes, "a solid piece of" can be used for abstract concepts, especially when emphasizing the substantial or reliable nature of the concept. For example, "This analysis is "a solid piece of work"."

What's the difference between "a solid piece of evidence" and "strong evidence"?

"A solid piece of evidence" emphasizes the reliability and substantial nature of the evidence, while "strong evidence" focuses more on the convincing power of the evidence. They are often interchangeable, but the subtle nuance depends on the context.