piece of matter

USAGE SUMMARY

"piece of matter" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun phrase used to describe a physical object. Example sentence: The archeologist studied a small piece of matter found in the excavation.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"Right away you can create a piece of matter that's never existed before," he says.

Princeton University

Because SMILE doesn't cut any big flaps, it reshapes your eye by removing a small piece of matter from the inside of your eyeball, manually, with forceps.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Building on Mr. van der Meer's work, Fermilab added stochastic cooling to its more powerful Tevatron collider, leading to the discovery in 1994 of the top quark, the final piece of matter in the Standard Model.

The New York Times - Science

To the questions that arise immediately as to how these particles are separated and distinct from each other, Descartes answered that a body or a piece of matter is all of that which moves together.

Britannica

We find little difficulty in conceiving the eternal existence of matter at a temperature no greater than that of the surrounding space, but when a piece of matter, solid, liquid, or gaseous is heated to incandescence, it is in the very nature of things that this condition is but transient.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

General relativity (that same theory supported by so many experiments and needed to make the GPS system work) predicts that, simply by compressing any piece of matter down enough to make a black hole, you create a region where this just isn't true.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Some of the one-liners are sophomoric, but the script and the cast deliver a sophisticated piece of matter-of-fact absurdity about a young, dead lawyer who may prefer the underworld to heaven (1 30).

The New York Times

"Collecting insignificant pieces of matter".

The New Yorker

"Nuclear and sub-atomic material science it the investigation of the properties, flow and collaborations of the essential (however not major) building pieces of matter".

The Guardian

"HEP," in the jargon, is high-energy physics, the attempt to use powerful particle accelerators to study the tiniest pieces of matter.

The New York Times - Science

The notation is just as arbitrary as in an ordinary pen or pencil computation, but the operations have a more mechanical appearance, in that they consist of the bodily motion of certain pieces of matter.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "piece of matter" in scientific writing, ensure you clearly define the specific type of matter you are referring to for clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "piece of matter" when a more specific term like "sample", "specimen", or "object" would be more appropriate. Choose the term that best reflects the context and enhances understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "piece of matter" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific, though potentially undefined, quantity of physical substance. Ludwig indicates that it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "piece of matter" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig, generally employed to refer to a physical substance or object. While versatile, it's most frequently encountered in scientific, academic, and journalistic contexts. This suggests a neutral to formal register, making it appropriate for objective and precise descriptions. When using "piece of matter", consider context-specific alternatives like "lump of material" or "portion of substance" to fine-tune your message. Remember to choose the term that best aligns with the specific type of matter you're discussing for enhanced clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

item of the physical world

This is a simple, direct way to refer to matter as part of the tangible world.

lump of material

This alternative suggests a less defined, often irregular form of matter.

portion of substance

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the compositional aspect.

element of reality

This alternative broadens the concept to include matter as a component of existence.

segment of the universe

This places matter within a cosmological context.

particle of existence

This alternative is philosophical and emphasizes the fundamental nature of matter.

fragment of being

This is a more abstract and philosophical way to refer to matter.

component of the cosmos

This highlights matter's role as a building block of the universe.

unit of physicality

This emphasizes the tangible and measurable aspects of matter.

morsel of creation

This phrase evokes a sense of matter as part of a larger creation.

FAQs

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

You can use "piece of matter" to describe a specific object or substance, for example: "The scientist analyzed the "piece of matter" to determine its composition."

What are some alternatives to "piece of matter"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "lump of material", "portion of substance", or "item of the physical world".

Is "piece of matter" a formal or informal phrase?

"Piece of matter" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more commonly found in scientific and academic writing.

What does "piece of matter" refer to?

"Piece of matter" refers to a specific portion or fragment of physical substance, whether solid, liquid, or gaseous.