bit of rice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bit of rice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a small quantity of rice, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "I only need a bit of rice to complete the dish."

✓ Grammatically correct

Food

Cooking

Diet

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

They used their last bit of rice and beans on Monday.

The New York Times

A bit of Rice battle as proxy war for taking on the president himself.

The Washington Post

A bit of rice and some basic yams and stuff like that.

The Guardian

"Her mother, Miriam, had come with her, and she was still carrying the bag of shopping with some greens and a bit of rice and some tin fish.

The Guardian

It's the ultimate cheap meal: a little bit of rice and a lot of water or stock are all it takes, and it goes a long way.

The Guardian - Travel

"It was freezing, there were not enough mattresses and meals were just a bit of rice or porridge," recalled Ms. Lee, a lively former singer.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Some men slumped in their seats, the tables before them littered with bits of rice and bottle caps.

The Guardian - Travel

Susan has always had a penchant for examining the craftsmanship of earthenware, and she has a taste for genmai-cha, tea leaves flavored with bits of rice.

The New York Times - Arts

Bibimbap was fairly well received as well, with its crusty bits of rice that stuck to the inside of the weathered black stoneware until we pulled them off and mixed them into the fried egg, vegetables and hot sauce.

The New York Times

And we constantly make decisions about a dish's progression based on sight and sound, listening for something frying too hard, looking for a piece of fish colouring too quickly, or catching those mutinous bits of rice that scale the side of the saucepan.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Less pleasant were the chicken lettuce wraps, with excessively hard bits of rice stick; the salt-and-pepper calamari, with an insipid batter that obscured the fresh, light taste of the seafood; and the lemon scallops, with a similarly leaden batter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a recipe or diet, use "bit of rice" to indicate a small, imprecise amount. This is suitable for informal or general instructions where exact measurements are not critical.

Common error

Avoid using "bit of rice" in formal documents or scientific papers where precise quantities are required. Use more specific measurements or descriptive terms like "small quantity of rice" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bit of rice" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a small, unspecified quantity of rice. As shown in the examples provided by Ludwig, it's often used in culinary or dietary contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bit of rice" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to a small, unspecified quantity of rice. According to Ludwig, it is primarily used in neutral to informal contexts, such as news articles and general discussions about food. While "bit of rice" is suitable for recipes and casual descriptions, more formal or scientific writing may benefit from using more precise terms. Remember to avoid overuse in formal settings and be mindful of the intended audience. Based on the sources analyzed, the most authoritative sources include The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Washington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small amount of rice

Replaces "bit" with a more formal synonym, maintaining the focus on quantity.

little rice

Uses a simpler adjective to describe the rice, suitable for informal contexts.

grain of rice

Refers to an individual piece of rice, emphasizing the small size.

portion of rice

Focuses on the serving size, suitable when discussing meals.

dab of rice

Suggests a very small amount, often used in cooking descriptions.

pinch of rice

Implies an even smaller quantity, often used figuratively.

trace of rice

Suggests a minimal amount, almost undetectable.

spoonful of rice

Refers to the amount that can be held in a spoon, providing a concrete measurement.

small serving of rice

Emphasizes the serving aspect, useful in restaurant or dietary contexts.

modicum of rice

Uses a more formal term for a small quantity.

FAQs

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

You can use "bit of rice" to describe a small amount of rice. For example, "I only need a "bit of rice" to complete the dish."

What's a more formal alternative to "bit of rice"?

If you need a more formal phrase, consider using "small amount of rice" or "small quantity of rice".

Is it correct to say "a bit of rice"?

Yes, "a bit of rice" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. Ludwig confirms its validity based on numerous examples.

What is the difference between ""bit of rice"" and "grain of rice"?

"Bit of rice" refers to a small, undefined quantity, while "grain of rice" refers to a single, individual piece of rice.