piece of bread

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "piece of bread" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an actual piece of bread, either as a literal object or as a metaphor. For example: "I need to fill my stomach with a piece of bread before I leave."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

HuffPost

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A piece of bread.

The New Yorker

"You always had a piece of bread.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, generously butter one piece of bread.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Break off a piece of bread.

The New York Times

"May I have a piece of bread?" "You may have a piece of bread".

The New Yorker

I took another piece of bread and treacle.

The New Yorker

("A piece of bread... is poetry," he once wrote).

The New Yorker

They will cut you up for a piece of bread.

The New York Times

Large families were sharing one piece of bread a day.

The Guardian

I asked a woman for piece of bread," she recalled.

The Guardian

Top with the last piece of bread, buttered side down.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To emphasize the simplicity or commonness of something, compare it to acquiring "a piece of bread". This implies that the action is easy and accessible.

Common error

Avoid using "a piece of bread" in excessively simple sentences where more descriptive language would add flavor. Instead of 'I ate a piece of bread', try 'I enjoyed a crusty slice of sourdough' for better imagery.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "piece of bread" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig shows numerous examples where it serves as a tangible item being consumed or requested. Ludwig AI confirms it as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

27%

HuffPost

8%

Less common in

The New Yorker

8%

The New York Times

8%

The Guardian

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "piece of bread" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase, used across diverse contexts ranging from news reports to recipes. Ludwig highlights its versatility, showing its use both literally and figuratively. The phrase is generally neutral in register and serves to denote a specific portion of bread or, metaphorically, basic sustenance or ease of acquisition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and readily usable expression in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slice of bread

Focuses on a cut portion, emphasizing the shape.

bread slice

A more concise alternative to "slice of bread".

bit of bread

A simple and informal way to refer to a small amount of bread.

bread portion

Highlights a serving or allotment of bread.

chunk of bread

Suggests a roughly broken or cut piece.

crust of bread

Refers specifically to the outer, harder part of the bread.

bread fragment

Implies a small, broken-off piece of bread.

morsel of bread

Suggests a very small, often deliberately offered piece.

bread ration

Indicates a limited or allocated portion of bread.

loaf of bread

While related, it denotes the entire bread item, not just a piece.

FAQs

How can I use "piece of bread" in a sentence?

You can use "piece of bread" to describe a literal portion of bread, as in, "I ate a "piece of bread" with my soup". It can also be used metaphorically, representing basic sustenance or something easily obtained.

What are some synonyms for "piece of bread"?

Alternatives include "slice of bread", "bread portion", or "crust of bread", depending on the specific context and intended meaning.

Is it always necessary to specify "piece of bread" or can I just say "bread"?

While "bread" can sometimes suffice, "piece of bread" is useful when you want to emphasize a specific, individual portion, rather than bread in general. For example, comparing "I need a piece of bread" and "I need bread".

What does it mean when someone says something is "like buying a piece of bread"?

This expression suggests that something is very easy or simple to acquire. It implies the action requires minimal effort or resources, as illustrated by the phrase "buying a piece of bread".