chunk of butter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chunk of butter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a piece or portion of butter, often in cooking or baking contexts. Example: "For this recipe, you will need a chunk of butter to create a rich and creamy sauce."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Add a chunk of butter to the hot beer.

The New Yorker

Put a generous chunk of butter in a frying pan until it sizzles.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We watched as a huge chunk of butter was stirred into a risotto sprinkled liberally with Parmigiano and toma cheeses.

The New York Times - Food

As an appetizer, a few slices of very good French ham — jambon d'Auvergne — were served with a chunk of butter and good bread.

The New York Times - Travel

The icing is moreish, but not as good as homemade buttercream despite the great big chunk of butter you need to supply.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I crush a few big unpeeled cloves of garlic and put them in the pan along with a nice chunk of butter.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Avoid over-mixing, leaving pea-size chunks of butter.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When making the dough, take care to mix in the chunks of butter as directed.

The New York Times - Food

Keep working the ingredients using your fingertips until no visible chunks of butter remain.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Once no visible chunks of butter remain and the mixture is sandy in texture, stir in the thyme.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Cube the butter and add it to the bowl, rubbing it into the dry ingredients until there are no visible chunks of butter left.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a non-specific, roughly cut or broken piece of butter, "chunk of butter" is a suitable and vivid choice. For example, "Add a "chunk of butter" to the pan to enrich the sauce."

Common error

While "chunk of butter" is acceptable in general writing, opt for more precise terms like "tablespoon of butter" or "grams of butter" in formal recipes or scientific contexts for clarity and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chunk of butter" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a specific, albeit imprecise, quantity of butter. It's commonly used in recipes and culinary contexts to describe a portion of butter that is not necessarily measured exactly.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chunk of butter" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, typically employed to indicate an imprecise amount of butter, often within cooking contexts. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, noting its common use when describing an amount of butter without strict measurements. While the phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources and wikis, its usage spans various contexts. For formal writing, consider opting for precise measurements like grams or tablespoons. Semantically similar alternatives include "lump of butter", "knob of butter", and "piece of butter", each conveying slightly different nuances in size and shape.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lump of butter

Uses "lump" instead of "chunk", implying a less defined or shaped piece.

knob of butter

Uses "knob" to describe a small, somewhat rounded piece of butter.

pat of butter

Specifies a small, pre-cut portion, often found in restaurants.

dollop of butter

Implies a soft, slightly melted portion, often used for spreading.

piece of butter

A more general term for a portion of butter, less specific in shape or size.

block of butter

Refers to a larger, usually rectangular, mass of butter.

portion of butter

A more formal term for a serving or amount of butter.

amount of butter

General term referring to the quantity of butter, without specifying shape.

quantity of butter

A formal way to refer to the amount of butter.

serving of butter

Refers to a single, measured amount of butter for one person.

FAQs

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

You can use "chunk of butter" to describe a piece of butter, as in, "He added a "chunk of butter" to the hot beer."

What is a good substitute for "chunk of butter"?

Alternatives include "piece of butter", "lump of butter", or "knob of butter", depending on the size and shape you want to convey.

Is it better to say "chunk of butter" or "piece of butter"?

Both "chunk of butter" and "piece of butter" are correct. "Chunk" suggests a rough, uneven piece, while "piece" is more general.

What's the difference between "chunk of butter" and "pat of butter"?

A "chunk of butter" is an irregularly shaped portion, while a "pat of butter" is a small, pre-cut, often square-shaped serving.