large chunks of winter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "large chunks of winter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe significant portions or periods of the winter season, often in a metaphorical or descriptive context. Example: "This year, we experienced large chunks of winter with heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures that lasted for weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Ndiku, who missed large chunks of winter training, clung on to silver in 13:51375.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I spent a large chunk of last year living in a small town in the USA.

The Guardian - Books

Amy Pascal, the chairwoman of Sony's Columbia Pictures studio, promised a large chunk of last year's box-office revenue to stars and producers to make "Men in Black II," film executives said.

The New York Times

The world-renowned medical journal has devoted a large chunk of this week's issue to the problem.

BBC

The pair spent a large chunk of last weekend together, first jogging side-by-side in Los Angeles on July 19 and then getting cozy while shopping at the Farmer's Market in Studio City on July 20.

Huffington Post

"I've already been over to the Isle of Man a few times to look at the course and I'm going to spend large chunks of the winter with Milky Quayle and Johnny Barton learning the course".

BBC

The night's most direct answer may have been Peña Nieto's response to last month's revelation that he copied large chunks of his 1991 undergraduate law thesis.

Vice

Italy, the euro zone's third-largest economy, also sold large chunks of debt last week.

The New York Times

He fell less than two weeks after revelations that large chunks of his 2006 doctoral dissertation had been plagiarised.

The Economist

Through three pool play blowouts, he recorded 17 assists in limited playing time, and he spent large chunks of each second half on the bench.

The New York Times - Sports

Large chunks of the 2012 investment was spent on a small number of very expensive projects.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "large chunks of winter" to describe significant portions of the winter season, particularly when discussing training schedules, weather patterns, or seasonal activities. Ensure that the context makes it clear that you are referring to extended periods within the winter.

Common error

Avoid using "large chunks of winter" when referring to specific dates or events within winter. This phrase is best suited for discussing general periods or segments of the season, rather than precise moments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "large chunks of winter" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or complement in a sentence. It describes significant periods within the winter season. Ludwig identifies its use in contexts relating to sports training and seasonal disruptions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "large chunks of winter" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe significant portions or periods within the winter season. According to Ludwig, its use is relatively rare but appears in reputable news and media sources like The Guardian and BBC. The phrase is best used to describe general periods or segments of the season rather than specific dates. Alternative phrases include "significant portions of winter" and "extensive periods of winter". Ludwig's analysis confirms the phrase is valid and understandable in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Significant portions of winter

Replaces "large chunks" with "significant portions", maintaining the meaning while using slightly more formal language.

Extensive periods of winter

Substitutes "large chunks" with "extensive periods", emphasizing the duration rather than the size of the portions.

Considerable parts of winter

Uses "considerable parts" in place of "large chunks", highlighting the substantial nature of the periods.

Substantial segments of winter

Replaces "large chunks" with "substantial segments", providing a more formal and precise alternative.

Major portions of the winter season

Expands the phrase to include "the winter season", clarifying the context and using "major portions" as a substitute.

Significant segments of the winter season

Combines "significant segments" with "the winter season" for added clarity and formality.

Large segments of the winter months

Alters "winter" to "winter months", focusing on the monthly divisions and using "large segments".

Prolonged stretches of winter

Focuses on the duration by using "prolonged stretches" instead of emphasizing size.

Notable fractions of winter

Substitutes "large chunks" with "notable fractions", which focuses on the quantitative aspect.

Appreciable intervals of winter

Replaces "large chunks" with "appreciable intervals", highlighting noticeable and measurable periods.

FAQs

How can I use "large chunks of winter" in a sentence?

You can use "large chunks of winter" to describe significant portions of the winter season, such as "We spent "large chunks of winter" training for the upcoming competition".

What are some alternatives to "large chunks of winter"?

Alternatives include "significant portions of winter", "extensive periods of winter", or "considerable parts of winter" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "large chunks of winter" or "large portions of winter"?

Both "large chunks of winter" and "large portions of winter" are acceptable. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "Chunks" emphasizes distinct segments, while "portions" highlights the amount or share of the season.

Can "large chunks of winter" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "large chunks of winter" can be used metaphorically to describe extended periods of inactivity or difficulty, even outside the context of the winter season itself. For example, "After the project failure, the team faced "large chunks of winter" in their motivation".