pockets of something

USAGE SUMMARY

"pockets of something" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe little amounts or concentrations of something. For example, "There were small pockets of snow in the shaded areas of the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

As a result, the Army's advance has left behind pockets of resistance, something that was evident today in fierce fighting in Nasiriya, in which a number of American marines were killed and others captured.

The New York Times

If you've got an unreleased phone in your pocket, think of something better to do with it than hawking it – at the very least, hook a blogger up.

TechCrunch

Things I dislike about TUMI's bag are more subjective, like its lack of more color options other than black, leather, urban camo and green, or the exclusion of an elastic pocket for something like a water bottle — arguably you could just zip the bottle in one of the front pockets.

TechCrunch

I daren't meet her eye but lever my backpack down from the luggage rack and fish through the outer pockets in search of something – anything – that might rescue me.

Independent

To save it, he says, we need to stop the city from spreading outward and to turn it in back on itself, to fill in these empty pockets with something of meaning.

The New York Times - Magazine

Like Camus's Sisyphus pushing his boulder up the hill, marriage is in the end a futility, an attempt to carve out a tiny pocket of stability, of something enduring, against the transience of the world and the unending onslaughts of time and mortality.

The Guardian - Books

And if they haven't had to test the limits of their coverage during the past year, to find out just how much they would have to pay out of their own pockets if something really bad happened, they'll likely tell themselves and Kaiser Family Foundation surveyors that they're happy campers.

Huffington Post

So how can you shop confidently on the high street knowing you won't end up out of pocket if something goes wrong?

The Guardian - Money

However, that doesn't mean they cannot or should not reach into their pockets to provide something of value in return.

Forbes

Or wondering why whole pockets of teams are playing something only loosely resembling pro-caliber basketball.

The New York Times

You can get lost in these pockets of normality but generally something happens that brings you back to reality with a boom.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pockets of something", ensure the context clearly defines what the 'something' refers to. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "pockets of something" when referring to widespread phenomena. This phrase indicates localized or isolated instances, not general trends.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pockets of something" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, indicating the presence of something in specific, localized areas. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is generally correct and usable in written English, it typically emphasizes that the instances are not widespread.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pockets of something" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to describe localized instances of a particular quality or entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is generally well accepted. Its frequency is classified as common, predominantly appearing in news and media, wiki, and formal business contexts. While versatile and suitable for various writing styles, it's essential to ensure clarity by defining 'something' specifically and avoiding its use when referring to broad, generalized phenomena. Alternatives like ""small amounts of something"" or ""localized areas of something"" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Overall, "pockets of something" is a useful phrase for adding detail and specificity to descriptions across a wide range of writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small amounts of something

Emphasizes the limited quantity, focusing on the diminutive nature of what is being measured.

isolated instances of something

Highlights the separation and rarity of the occurrences, suggesting they are not widespread.

localized areas of something

Focuses on the geographical confinement of the phenomenon, indicating it is restricted to specific places.

scattered portions of something

Suggests a distribution across a wider area, but in a sparse and irregular manner.

small concentrations of something

Implies a higher density in certain spots compared to the surrounding area.

limited segments of something

Highlights the boundaries of what is being discussed, suggesting a controlled scope.

specific examples of something

Narrows the focus to individual cases, moving away from general trends to particular details.

discrete units of something

Focuses on the distinct and separate nature of the portions of something.

select instances of something

Highlights that those are specific cases selected from a wider scenario.

distinct fragments of something

Highlights that those are specific fragments belonging to a wider scenario.

FAQs

How can I use "pockets of something" in a sentence?

Use "pockets of something" to describe localized areas or instances where a particular quality or entity exists, such as "There were "pockets of resistance" in the occupied territories".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "pockets of something"?

Alternatives include "small amounts of something", "isolated instances of something", or "localized areas of something" depending on the desired emphasis.

Is it appropriate to use "pockets of something" in formal writing?

Yes, "pockets of something" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when describing localized phenomena or specific instances within a larger context. Ensure clarity and precision in its application.

How does "pockets of something" differ from "areas of something"?

"Pockets of something" implies smaller, more discrete and isolated occurrences, whereas "areas of something" suggests larger, more continuous regions. The choice depends on the scale and distribution you wish to convey.