piece of reality

USAGE SUMMARY

'piece of reality' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are referring to a fact that is hard to accept or understand. For example, "No one wanted to accept that this was the harsh piece of reality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

REALITY television could not hold a candle to the piece of reality theater presented on Monday.

The New York Times

What is this piece of reality doing in this Afghanistanicized city?

The New York Times - Arts

For many of them, pop has become not just a piece of reality...but the very ground of reality.

The New Yorker

This is a piece of reality so dense that it goes beyond art in illuminating just how nebulous reality is.

The New Yorker

In contrast to the talk show, "Win Ben Stein's Money" is a precision piece of reality television.

The New York Times - Arts

It works if you can give people a manageable piece of reality which is who you are".

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"He's, like, 'Yeah, you have these ideals and then certain pieces of reality come along and you abandon them.

The New York Times

That world, the one we inhabit every day of our lives, is a yeti a fantastical thing constructed out of bits and pieces of reality plus the magic wand of the mind.

The New Yorker

In this sense he has gotten the most mileage out of the commodity-minded tactics of the late-1980s trendlet known here as Neo-Geo, with its shiny surfaces, expensive materials and startling rearrangements of pieces of reality.

The New York Times - Arts

"It is a piece of this reality," she said.

The New York Times

The debate reinforced that framing, with Trump vs. Clinton offered to viewers as a wrestling match or a battle-of-the-sexes piece of workplace reality TV.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "piece of reality" to emphasize a specific aspect or element of a situation, especially when highlighting something that might be difficult to accept or understand. For example, "Facing the harsh piece of reality, they decided to change their plans."

Common error

Avoid using "piece of reality" in every situation. Overusing it, especially in casual or informal contexts, can sound overly dramatic or pretentious. Instead, consider simpler, more direct language unless you specifically want to emphasize the harshness or difficulty of the truth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "piece of reality" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object. It identifies a specific aspect or element of what is real. Ludwig AI confirms the expression is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "piece of reality" is a correct and usable phrase that functions as a noun phrase, often employed to emphasize a difficult or harsh truth. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, its register is typically neutral to professional. When using this phrase, consider its potential for dramatic emphasis and avoid overuse in overly casual contexts. Alternatives like "aspect of reality" or "element of reality" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in nuance. Keep in mind you are describing a specific element of the real.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aspect of reality

Changes the noun to 'aspect', focusing on a specific part or feature of reality.

element of reality

Replaces "piece" with "element", highlighting a basic or essential part of reality.

portion of reality

Substitutes "piece" with "portion", suggesting a share or segment of reality.

fragment of reality

Uses "fragment" instead of "piece", implying a broken or incomplete part of reality.

aspect of the real world

Expands "reality" to "the real world", providing a more concrete and tangible sense.

part of existence

Replaces "reality" with "existence", shifting the focus to the state or fact of being.

slice of life

Uses the idiomatic expression "slice of life", referring to a realistic representation of everyday experiences.

glimpse of truth

Changes "reality" to "truth", focusing on the accuracy and genuineness of something.

reflection of actuality

Substitutes "reality" with "actuality", emphasizing the state of being actual or real.

manifestation of fact

Replaces "reality" with "fact", focusing on something that is known to be true or real.

FAQs

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

You can use "piece of reality" to refer to a specific aspect of a situation that is true, especially if it's difficult or harsh. For example: "The economic downturn was a stark "piece of reality" that many businesses had to face."

What can I say instead of "piece of reality"?

Alternatives include "aspect of reality", "element of reality", or "fragment of reality". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "piece of reality" formal or informal?

"Piece of reality" is generally suitable for neutral to slightly formal contexts. It is often found in news articles and analytical writing. For very informal settings, simpler language may be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "piece of reality" and "slice of life"?

"Piece of reality" refers to a specific element or aspect of a real situation, while "slice of life" is an idiomatic expression describing a realistic representation of everyday experiences. For example: "That movie offers a genuine "slice of life"." whereas "The closure of the factory was a bitter "piece of reality" for the town."