a tablespoon of butter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tablespoon of butter" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when specifying a measurement of butter in cooking or baking recipes. Example: "For this recipe, you will need a tablespoon of butter to sauté the vegetables."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Add a tablespoon of butter about halfway through each side.

The New York Times - Magazine

Melt a tablespoon of butter in a small nonstick skillet.

The New York Times

1. Cook the sorrel until wilted in a tablespoon of butter.

The New York Times

Add a tablespoon of butter, the egg yolks, the basil and the cheese.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Use half a tablespoon of butter to grease an eight- or nine-inch springform pan.

The New York Times

Butter eight-inch gratin dish with half a tablespoon of butter.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

3. Peanut butter Spread a tablespoon of peanut butter on your apple for flavor and fullness while also getting a dose of healthy fats and added nutrients.

Huffington Post

And I've learned to satisfy my sweet tooth by replacing Reese's Peanut Butter Cups with half a tablespoon of almond butter on half a banana".

Huffington Post

Simply combine a tablespoon of peanut butter with a teaspoon of Greek yoghurt and mix together.

Independent

After it has risen, warm half a tablespoon of the butter in the frying pan.

The Guardian - Books

Thinly slice the fennel and heat through gently in a small pan with a tablespoon of flavoured butter.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing recipes, be consistent in your units of measurement. Use either "a tablespoon of butter" or "1 tbsp of butter" throughout the recipe for clarity.

Common error

Clarify what kind of butter to use when it matters: salted, unsalted, clarified, browned etc. Omitting this detail may affect the flavor and texture of your dish.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tablespoon of butter" functions as a measurement specifying a quantity of butter. It's a common noun phrase used to define the amount of an ingredient, as validated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

36%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a tablespoon of butter" is a common and grammatically sound way to specify an amount of butter in cooking and baking. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, highlighting examples from various sources like news outlets and wikis. When using this phrase, it's important to be consistent with other units of measure in a recipe and to specify the type of butter if it significantly impacts the final dish. For alternative expressions, consider "one tablespoon of butter", "tablespoon of butter", or the abbreviated "tbsp". Whether in news articles, recipes, or cooking instructions, "a tablespoon of butter" serves as a reliable measure to guide culinary creations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one tablespoon of butter

Uses "one" instead of "a" for emphasis on a single unit of measurement.

tablespoon of butter

Omits the article "a", making it slightly less formal.

a tbsp of butter

Uses the abbreviation "tbsp" for tablespoon.

a spoonful of butter

Uses "spoonful" instead of "tablespoon" emphasizing the spoon as the measuring tool.

half a tablespoon of butter

Specifies a smaller quantity.

a pat of butter

Indicates a small, indefinite amount of butter.

a knob of butter

Implies a small, roughly shaped piece of butter.

a dab of butter

Indicates a very small amount of butter.

a tablespoon of margarine

Substitutes butter with margarine, a similar ingredient.

a tablespoon of oil

Replaces butter with oil, another common cooking fat.

FAQs

How is "a tablespoon of butter" typically used in a recipe?

The phrase "a tablespoon of butter" specifies a quantity of butter, often for sautéing, greasing pans, or enriching sauces. Recipes use it to maintain consistent ingredient ratios.

What can I say instead of "a tablespoon of butter"?

You can use alternatives like "one tablespoon of butter", "tablespoon of butter", or "a tbsp of butter" depending on the context.

Is it more accurate to say "a tablespoon of butter" or "one tablespoon of butter"?

Both "a tablespoon of butter" and "one tablespoon of butter" are correct. "One tablespoon" emphasizes the single unit of measurement, while "a tablespoon" is more conversational.

When should I specify salted versus unsalted butter when using "a tablespoon of butter"?

Specify salted or unsalted butter when the salt content significantly impacts the recipe's flavor. For baking, unsalted butter is often preferred for better control over the final taste.