chips of ice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chips of ice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe small pieces or fragments of ice, often in contexts related to cold beverages or winter conditions. Example: "As I sipped my drink, I noticed the refreshing chips of ice clinking against the glass."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

She pitches herself into the wide gray Meuse, where she floats face down among chips of ice.

The New Yorker

By the time I had a brooding, barrel-aged Sazerac in my hand, it was shrinking faster than the chips of ice on the cocktail's surface.

The New York Times - Food

I tried to dig with my heels, as Chris suggested, only to clip off little chips of ice that flew up into my eyes.

The New York Times - Travel

But sipped slowly, through chips of ice, the sweetened condensed milk gives ca phe sua da a mellow, caramel flavor, and makes it a wonderfully cooling drink on a summer afternoon.

The New York Times - Travel

FLYING chips of ice sparkled in the July sun as I hammered a pick into the 1,200-foot-high 1,200-foot-high 1,200-foot-highe Dana Couloir in Yosheete Natiofal Park.

The New York Times - Travel

Sure, but aren't there other ways of having chips of ice in the heart?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

In other words, a chip of ice.

The Guardian - Opinion

"My chip of ice is a bit… slushy".

The Guardian - Books

Graham Greene said that all writers have a "chip of ice" in their hearts.

The Guardian - Books

Haworth-Booth added: "She had a chip of ice in her heart.

The New York Times - Style

"Jeremy has a chip of ice in him," says a friend.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing beverages, use "chips of ice" to indicate small, irregularly shaped pieces, distinguishing them from ice cubes or crushed ice. For example, "My drink was filled with refreshing chips of ice."

Common error

Avoid using "chips of ice" metaphorically unless you're explicitly referring to something cold or frigid. For example, instead of saying "He had chips of ice in his heart", consider using a more appropriate metaphor like "He was cold-hearted" or "He was emotionally detached".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chips of ice" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI shows examples where it describes literal fragments of ice in various contexts, such as beverages or outdoor environments.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chips of ice" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe small, irregular pieces of ice. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase appears most frequently in News & Media sources and is used in neutral registers. While semantically related phrases such as "ice fragments" or "ice shards" can serve as suitable alternatives, it's important to consider the specific context in which the phrase is used. Avoid metaphorical usage if there can be confusion with literal interpretations, and remember to differentiate from the singular form "chip of ice". Overall, while not extremely common, the phrase is a valid and useful descriptor, recognized in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ice fragments

Replaces "chips" with "fragments", emphasizing the broken nature of the ice.

ice shards

Substitutes "chips" with "shards", highlighting the sharp, splintered form of the ice.

small pieces of ice

Expands "chips" to "small pieces", making the description more explicit.

ice slivers

Uses "slivers" instead of "chips", suggesting thin, narrow pieces of ice.

bits of ice

Replaces "chips" with "bits", indicating small, broken pieces.

ice particles

Substitutes "chips" with "particles", referring to very small pieces of ice.

crushed ice

Implies the "chips of ice" were made by crushing bigger pieces of ice.

fragmented ice

Adjective form implying ice that has been broken into chips.

flaked ice

Describes a type of ice that consists of thin, irregular flakes.

ice splinters

Uses "splinters" to convey small, needle-like pieces of ice.

FAQs

How can I use "chips of ice" in a sentence?

You can use "chips of ice" to describe the texture or contents of a cold beverage, a winter scene, or in a metaphorical sense to describe something cold. For example: "The bartender added several "chips of ice" to the cocktail" or "The wind blew "chips of ice" against the window pane".

What are some alternatives to "chips of ice"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "ice fragments", "ice shards", or "small pieces of ice".

Is it correct to say "chip of ice" instead of "chips of ice"?

While "chip of ice" ("chip of ice") can refer to a single piece, "chips of ice" refers to multiple pieces. Use the singular form when discussing a single fragment and the plural form for multiple fragments.

Can "chips of ice" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "chips of ice" can be used metaphorically to describe something emotionally cold or lacking warmth. However, ensure the context makes the meaning clear, as literal interpretations are more common. For example: "She spoke with "chips of ice" in her voice".