a solid piece of stuff

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a solid piece of stuff" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an object or material that is substantial and reliable in nature. Example: "The sculpture was made from a solid piece of stuff, giving it a robust and enduring presence in the gallery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

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

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

Looks like a solid piece of hardware, anyway.

TechCrunch

The base is a solid piece of metal.

TechCrunch

And Elizabeth Corcoran's profile of Barrett was a solid piece of reporting.

Forbes

"This is a solid piece of work," says immunologist Alain Townsend of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.

Science Magazine

Nonetheless, it still offers a solid piece of work".

Wikipedia

And while still a solid piece of work from Three 6, the absence of Crunchy Black just kind of burns.

Vice

A solid piece of new research shows that 10 million gun owners have entered the gun market over the last 20 years.

Huffington Post

Overall, this is a solid piece of work, and we look forward to receiving a revision.

eLife

Determine if your wood is a solid piece of wood.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a solid piece of stuff" when you want to emphasize both the physical integrity and the somewhat vague nature of the material being described. It works best in informal or descriptive contexts where precision isn't crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "a solid piece of stuff" in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more precise and professional language like "a durable material" or "a robust component" to maintain credibility and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a solid piece of stuff" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase, modifying a noun either explicitly mentioned or implied. It is used to convey the tangible and somewhat unspecified nature of an object.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a solid piece of stuff" is a grammatically correct but informal descriptive phrase used to convey the tangible and somewhat unspecified nature of an object. While Ludwig confirms its usability, it is best suited for informal contexts and should be avoided in formal writing where more precise language is preferred. The phrase appears rarely and is primarily found in news media and general online content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial item

Replaces "piece of stuff" with a more formal and generic term "item".

a sturdy object

Substitutes "solid" with "sturdy," emphasizing robustness.

a robust component

Replaces the more general 'piece of stuff' with the more technical 'component,' implying a constructed or engineered item.

a reliable element

Focuses on the dependability aspect rather than physical solidity.

a resilient material

Highlights the ability of the material to withstand stress.

a durable article

Replaces "piece of stuff" with "article," suggesting a manufactured item built to last.

a sound construction

Shifts the focus to the quality of the construction or build.

a well-built thing

More informal and emphasizes the quality of the build.

a firm fixture

Suggests something that is securely in place and unlikely to move.

a stable entity

Implies a state of equilibrium and resistance to change or disturbance.

FAQs

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

You can use "a solid piece of stuff" to describe something tangible but without needing to specify the exact material. For example: "The sculpture was crafted from "a solid piece of stuff", giving it a weighty and substantial feel."

What's a more formal alternative to "a solid piece of stuff"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "a durable material", "a robust component", or "a substantial object" depending on the specific context.

Is "a solid piece of stuff" grammatically correct?

Yes, "a solid piece of stuff" is grammatically correct, although it is more suited for informal contexts. According to Ludwig, it is a usable phrase in written English.

When is it appropriate to use "a solid piece of stuff" instead of "a solid material"?

Use "a solid piece of stuff" when you want to convey a sense of something being physically present and reliable, but you don't need to be precise about the exact material composition. "A solid material" is more appropriate when the type of material is relevant.