chunk out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chunk out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe breaking down a large amount of work into smaller measurable sections. For example, "I decided to chunk out the project into smaller parts so that I could work on it more efficiently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a huge chunk out of the side".

The Guardian - Sport

Last year took a huge chunk out of me.

The New York Times - Sports

Gulliver picked another chunk out of his fingers.

The Guardian - Business

Kitamura BITES A CHUNK out of Dr Laser's foot.

The Guardian - Film

He won't take a chunk out of your cheeks".

The New York Times

You can't exactly scoop a chunk out of someone's living brain.

Stanford University

"Now it's on the wane, and e-books have bitten a big chunk out of it".

The New York Times

"Those big commercial shows, they take a big chunk out of your leg".

The New York Times

Could the fast-following trend take a chunk out of Yipit's market, too?

The New York Times

"It took a big chunk out of my life emotionally, financially," the woman said.

The New York Times

Last quarter, cutbacks by governments at all levels took a chunk out of overall growth.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chunk out" when you want to emphasize the act of dividing a larger task or problem into smaller, more manageable pieces. This is particularly useful in project management, time management, and problem-solving contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "chunk out" when you simply mean to reduce or decrease something without a clear sense of partitioning. For instance, instead of saying "Taxes chunk out a portion of income", it's more precise to say "Taxes reduce a portion of income" if the focus is solely on the reduction, not the division into manageable parts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "chunk out" is that of a phrasal verb. It signifies the action of dividing a larger entity into smaller, more manageable parts. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates its widespread use, especially as shown in several examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chunk out" is a versatile phrasal verb meaning to divide something large into smaller, manageable parts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used. Found frequently in contexts such as news and media, academia, and formal business communications, its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for various writing styles. Remember to use "chunk out" when emphasizing the act of dividing for manageability, and consider more formal alternatives like "segment" or "partition" in highly formal contexts. By understanding its nuances and application, you can effectively use "chunk out" to enhance clarity and organization in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

carve out

Suggests creating something by removing material from a larger mass, similar to physical extraction.

take a slice

Implies taking a portion, often in a figurative sense of resources or market share.

divide up

Focuses on dividing something into smaller portions, rather than removing a part.

make inroads

Indicates making significant progress or impact, similar to taking a "chunk" of something.

extract a piece

Highlights the act of removing a section from something.

portion out

Emphasizes distributing something into smaller, manageable amounts.

detract from

Emphasizes reducing or diminishing something, akin to taking away a significant part.

take a segment

Similar to taking a slice, but emphasizes a clearly defined section.

allot a share

Focuses on assigning a portion of something to someone or something.

take a bite

Conveys the idea of taking a small portion, often used metaphorically.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "chunk out" in a sentence?

Use "chunk out" to describe dividing a large task or complex problem into smaller, more manageable segments. For example, "I need to "chunk out" this project into weekly tasks" or "Let's "chunk out" the research paper into sections for easier writing".

What are some alternatives to using "chunk out"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "divide up", "portion out", or "carve out" to convey similar meanings. Choose the alternative that best fits the specific nuance you want to express.

Is it appropriate to use "chunk out" in formal writing?

While "chunk out" is widely understood, it may be perceived as slightly informal. In highly formal contexts, consider using more precise alternatives like "segment", "partition", or "allocate" to maintain a professional tone.

What does "chunk out" imply that other phrases might not?

"Chunk out" often implies a deliberate effort to make something more manageable by breaking it into distinct parts. While other phrases might describe division, "chunk out" suggests a strategic approach to simplifying a complex task.