bit of footage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bit of footage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small segment or portion of video material, often in contexts related to film, television, or video production. Example: "I found a bit of footage from the event that perfectly captures the atmosphere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Music

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

"Everything came from this one bit of footage.

The Guardian

"We had a look at a bit of footage of him under the short ball.

Independent

I took this inept yet endearingly sincere bit of footage at six o'clock this morning.

The Guardian

"I've learned to love this equipment firsthand through seeing my father play it and through seeing it used on every great bit of footage ever," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

Never again will Andy Gray tut-tut as he analyses a bit of footage featuring that never to be forgotten pro.

The Guardian - Sport

You can hear McCartney reflecting on their friendship - with a little bit of footage shot during the Keep Me By My Side sessions - in the video below.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

In a promotional tape, Stephen Lambert, chief creative officer of RDF, switched bits of footage of the queen to make it look as if she had stormed out of a photo-shoot when in fact she had not.

The Economist

We had to spend weeks doing "video archaeology" - working out the time and place of bits of footage from the details they contained.

The Guardian - Film

It's good that it was relatively peaceful, though, but even in the August riots TV usually muddies the picture by repeatedly showing the livelier bits of footage.

The Guardian

But flooding affects wildlife as well as people, and the sad sight of those eggs going under is one of many striking bits of footage in a three-part special examining nonhuman life on the Mississippi.

The New York Times - Arts

And, morbid as it is, much of the inevitable pull of the movie is in trying to decipher what its original story might have been, how the film-makers have bent it to fit logistics and in figuring out which bits of footage actually feature Walker and which are the stand-ins with his face digitally superimposed.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To specify the content, add the source. For example: "There's a "bit of footage" we've got at home, on this old 8mm movie, of them dancing in this club."

Common error

Avoid using "bit of footage" without specifying its relevance or source. Overusing it can make your writing vague. Instead, provide specific details or context to make the reference more meaningful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bit of footage" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to a small segment of video or film. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is correct and usable English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Sport

12%

Music

10%

Less common in

Film

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bit of footage" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase to refer to a small section of video or film. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in English. Predominantly found in news, media, sport and music, it maintains a neutral register, making it widely applicable. For enhanced writing, always provide context and specificity when using "bit of footage". While the phrase is acceptable, avoid overuse without relevance to maintain clarity and impact. Alternatives include "snippet of video", "clip of film", and "segment of recording". All of these can add nuance or formality when desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

snippet of video

Emphasizes the short, often extracted nature of the video segment.

clip of film

Specifically refers to a short portion of a film.

segment of recording

A more general term that applies to any type of recording, not just video.

extract from video

Highlights that the portion was taken from a larger video.

piece of film

Similar to 'clip', but emphasizes the physical aspect of film.

portion of the recording

Indicates a part of a larger recording, emphasizing the proportional aspect.

short video segment

Clearly states both the medium and the length.

brief video excerpt

Highlights the condensed nature and source of the video.

small video clip

Indicates the reduced size of the video portion.

fragment of film

Implies an incomplete or broken-off portion of a film.

FAQs

How can I use "bit of footage" in a sentence?

You can use "bit of footage" to refer to a short segment of video. For example, "The documentary included a fascinating "bit of footage" from the 1960s."

What can I say instead of "bit of footage"?

You can use alternatives like "snippet of video", "clip of film", or "segment of recording" depending on the context.

Is "bit of footage" formal or informal?

"Bit of footage" is generally considered neutral in formality. While acceptable in news and media, more formal contexts may benefit from terms like "video segment" or "film excerpt".

What's the difference between "bit of footage" and "piece of footage"?

While similar, "bit of footage" suggests a smaller or more incidental segment. "Piece of footage" may imply a more substantial or integral portion of the whole.