pieces of shrapnel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pieces of shrapnel" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to fragments of metal or other materials that are produced by an explosion, often in a military or explosive context. Example: "The battlefield was littered with pieces of shrapnel, a grim reminder of the recent conflict."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"You have 500 pieces of shrapnel".

The New York Times - Science

Two pieces of shrapnel stayed in his back.

The Economist

Two pieces of shrapnel pierced Sayid's back and neck.

The Washington Post

Three hundred pieces of shrapnel went into his back.

The New York Times

Gregory Stone, 43 -- was pelted by 83 pieces of shrapnel.

The Washington Post

12 pieces of shrapnel hit my legs and my hand".

The Guardian

Another bullet hit Emad, badly wounding him and lodging four pieces of shrapnel in his diaphragm.

The Guardian

To this day, he carries pieces of shrapnel, debris and even twigs under his scarred skin.

The New York Times - Arts

Pieces of shrapnel were flying in the air and I couldn't go anywhere.

The New York Times

Dozens of pieces of shrapnel landed in the garden, along with the twisted chunk of a car radiator.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

A piece of shrapnel nicked his neck.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing injuries, specify the location and number of "pieces of shrapnel" for clarity. For example: "He sustained injuries to his leg and back from multiple pieces of shrapnel."

Common error

Avoid using "pieces of shrapnel" to describe fragments from non-explosive events. Use more appropriate terms like "debris", "fragments", or "splinters" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pieces of shrapnel" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct. It refers to multiple fragments resulting from an explosion or impact, often in a military or conflict context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pieces of shrapnel" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It describes fragments resulting from explosions, commonly found in news and media contexts. While it's a neutral phrase, it often conveys a serious tone due to its association with conflict and damage. Alternative phrases include "shrapnel fragments" or "metal shards". When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with contexts involving explosions and avoid misusing it in non-explosive scenarios. Specifying the location and quantity of "pieces of shrapnel" enhances clarity. The phrase's frequency is high, reflected in its consistent appearance across authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shrapnel fragments

This alternative uses a different word order while retaining the same meaning.

fragments of shrapnel

This alternative uses a different word order while retaining the same meaning.

metal shards

This alternative focuses on the material composition of the shrapnel.

bomb fragments

This alternative specifies the source of the fragments as a bomb.

explosion debris

This alternative broadens the scope to include any debris from an explosion.

projectile fragments

This alternative describes the pieces as coming from a projectile weapon.

splintered metal

This alternative describes the metal as being broken into splinters.

scattered debris

This alternative describes the shrapnel in terms of its distribution.

bomb splinters

This alternative specifies bomb debris as splinters.

flying debris

This alternative focuses on the motion of the debris.

FAQs

How to use "pieces of shrapnel" in a sentence?

You can use "pieces of shrapnel" to describe fragments produced by an explosion, as in: "The victim was struck by several "pieces of shrapnel"." or "The area was littered with "pieces of shrapnel" after the blast."

What can I say instead of "pieces of shrapnel"?

You can use alternatives like "shrapnel fragments", "fragments of shrapnel", or "metal shards" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "pieces of shrapnel" or "shrapnels"?

"Pieces of shrapnel" is correct. "Shrapnel" is typically used as an uncountable noun, so it does not have a plural form. Therefore, you would say "pieces of shrapnel" instead of "shrapnels".

What's the difference between "shrapnel" and "debris"?

"Shrapnel" specifically refers to fragments from explosive devices or artillery shells. "Debris" is a more general term for scattered fragments of any material after destruction or damage.