kernel of corn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kernel of corn" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the edible part of a corn cob, often in agricultural or culinary contexts. Example: "The recipe calls for a cup of fresh kernels of corn to enhance the flavor of the dish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Her stomach contained one kernel of corn.

The New York Times

A kernel of corn, she thinks.

The New Yorker

It's hard to find a soybean or a kernel of corn in North America that's not genetically modified.

The New York Times

"Lone Man is born to a Mandan virgin, who conceives him by ingesting a kernel of corn".

The Economist

At a time when a kernel of corn seemed more valuable than gold, I think the biggest victims were the little kids in North Korea.

The Guardian

Some people say that steel-cut oats "pop" in the mouth, though it is a gentle pop, like that of a juicy kernel of corn.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

It was moist and studded with kernels of corn.

The New York Times

The No. 1 ingredient is high-fructose corn syrup, which A.D.M. extracts from kernels of corn.

The New York Times

Least favorite kitchen gadget: A device to cut the kernels of corn off the cob.

The New York Times - Magazine

Or try the empanadas, stuffed with either savory chopped beef or puffy kernels of corn.

The New York Times - Arts

"My eye socket was in pieces, almost like kernels of corn," Davies, 24, said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing food or ingredients, "kernel of corn" is a precise term. Use it to clearly specify individual grains of corn rather than a more general term like "corn pieces".

Common error

Avoid using "kernel of corn" when referring to processed corn products like cornmeal or corn syrup. "Kernel of corn" is specific to the whole grain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kernel of corn" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It identifies a specific, countable object: a single grain of corn. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in sentences across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

13%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Science

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "kernel of corn" is a common noun phrase used to refer to a single grain of corn. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Encyclopedias. The phrase serves the purpose of concrete description, is generally neutral in register, and has several semantically related alternatives like ""corn kernel"" or ""grain of corn"". When writing, be precise in using this term for individual grains and avoid it when discussing processed corn products.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

corn kernel

Word order is changed; adjective precedes noun.

grain of corn

Uses the synonym "grain" instead of "kernel".

corn seed

Uses the synonym "seed" instead of "kernel".

piece of corn

Replaces "kernel" with the more general "piece".

single corn grain

Adds "single" for emphasis and uses "grain" instead of "kernel".

portion of corn

Replaces "kernel" with the more abstract "portion".

bit of corn

Uses "bit" to indicate a small amount of corn.

fragment of corn

Replaces kernel with fragment.

element of corn

Replaces kernel with element.

unit of corn

Replaces kernel with unit.

FAQs

How can I use "kernel of corn" in a sentence?

You can use "kernel of corn" to refer to individual grains of corn, as in, "The recipe calls for a cup of fresh "corn kernel"s" or "Each "grain of corn" on the cob is plump and juicy."

What's the difference between "kernel of corn" and "ear of corn"?

"Kernel of corn" refers to a single grain, while "ear of corn" refers to the entire cob on which the kernels grow. So, an ear has many kernels.

Is it more appropriate to say "kernel of corn" or "corn kernel"?

Both "kernel of corn" and "corn kernel" are acceptable. "Corn kernel" is slightly more concise and common in modern usage.

Can "kernel of corn" be used metaphorically?

While primarily literal, "kernel of corn" could be used metaphorically to represent a small, essential element, though this is less common than metaphorical uses of "kernel of truth".