chunk of bone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chunk of bone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to anatomy, archaeology, or any situation where a piece of bone is being described. Example: "The archaeologists discovered a chunk of bone that provided insights into the diet of ancient humans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

And the skull, reputedly a very hard chunk of bone, emerged with what the report calls "significant damage".

The Guardian

There was the chunk of bone she ripped off the humerus in her separated shoulder, requiring years of popping her shoulder back into place.

The New York Times

To replace the young man's crushed cheekbone and eye socket, the surgeon carved a chunk of bone, nerves, and blood vessels from the man's pelvis.

Science Magazine

We resorted to screw fixation alone wherever fracture configuration comprised a large, solid, single chunk of bone (n = 10); plate-and-screw fixation was used in the remainder of cases (n = 16).

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"It was as if chunks of bone had just been chiselled away," an astonished-sounding Andrea Waters-Rist, Ph.D., one of the group's co-leaders, said.

The New Yorker

And his choice of melted aged beef fat with chunks of bone marrow as a sauce doubled down on the beefy intensity of a Wagyu culotte steak.

The New York Times - Food

In the crate there were chunks of bone that appeared to have been blown to bits, scorched scraps of flesh, a jawbone with 11 teeth and, most important, pieces of clothing, including part of a shirt with elaborate embroidery.

The New York Times

A pair of bones from the tail of a hadrosaurian dinosaur (more often know as duck-bills) have been found that are fused together and with a huge chunk of amorphous bone joining them.

The Guardian

As if to prove their point, a 74-year-old man arrives who it turns out broke his left femur three months earlier – the X-ray shows a big chunk of the bone hanging off – but had only now sought treatment, despite having been in considerable pain during that time.

The Guardian

Pachycephalosaur remains are actually rather rare, but the one thing that does survive well are the domes themselves since they are very tough chunks of solid bone.

The Guardian

Amy Zelson Mundorff, a forensic anthropologist who scrutinized tens of thousands of those body parts, is still sorting through chunks and shards of bone and tissue, trying to link them to lost lives and help families desperate for information.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing archaeological finds, use "chunk of bone" to convey the irregular and unrefined nature of the discovered fragment.

Common error

While "chunk of bone" is acceptable, it can sound informal in scientific or medical writing. Use more precise terms like "bone fragment" or "osseous sample" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chunk of bone" functions primarily as a noun phrase, specifically acting as a descriptive element. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct, referring to an irregular piece or fragment of bone material.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "chunk of bone" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe an irregular piece of bone. Ludwig AI indicates its acceptability and provides real-world examples primarily from news and scientific contexts. While appropriate in general writing, more formal terms like "bone fragment" or "osseous sample" may be preferred in academic or medical contexts. Its neutral register makes it widely applicable, although careful consideration of the audience and context is crucial for optimal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

piece of bone

Replaces "chunk" with "piece", indicating a smaller or less defined portion.

bone fragment

Uses "fragment" instead of "chunk", implying a broken or detached part of a bone.

bone shard

Replaces "chunk" with "shard", suggesting a sharp, splintered piece of bone.

section of bone

Substitutes "chunk" with "section", indicating a cut or defined part of bone.

bone sliver

Uses "sliver" to imply a small, thin piece of bone.

segment of bone

Replaces "chunk" with "segment", referring to a distinct part of a bone.

bone portion

Uses "portion" to indicate a measured or allocated part of bone.

bone remain

Shifts the focus to bone that remains, implying a remnant of a larger structure.

ossified fragment

Replaces "bone" with its scientific equivalent "ossified" which may be suitable for formal contexts.

piece of skeleton

Generalizes from bone to the broader concept of skeleton, focusing on skeletal remains.

FAQs

How can I use "chunk of bone" in a sentence?

You might say, "The archaeologist carefully brushed the dirt off the "chunk of bone", hoping it would reveal more about the ancient civilization."

What's a more formal way to say "chunk of bone"?

In a formal or scientific context, consider using phrases like "bone fragment" or "osseous sample" for increased precision.

Is "chunk of bone" appropriate for scientific writing?

While grammatically correct, "chunk of bone" might be considered too informal for scientific writing. Opt for more technical terms like "bone specimen" or "skeletal fragment".

What are some other words to describe bone pieces?

Depending on the size and shape, you could use words like "bone shard", "bone sliver", or "bone segment" to provide a more specific description.