portion of butter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "portion of butter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific amount or serving of butter, often in cooking or dietary contexts. Example: "For this recipe, you will need a portion of butter to enhance the flavor of the dish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Such a concentration in the water phase limits bacterial growth overall, since the fat portion of butter is generally safe from microbial degradation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When I'm finished, I throw the onion slices into a pot on the stove with a generous portion of butter and add a little salt.

Huffington Post

One seriously delicious looking loaf of bread that looks very much like cake, and, thanks in part to the very generous portion of butter with which it is served, puts our breakfast to shame.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

In a typical dieter's cookie, relatively meagre portions of butter and sugar are distributed evenly, and hit the taste buds in a wash of low-cal disappointment.

The New Yorker

Place a fillet on each of four plates and top each with an equal portion of lime butter.

The New York Times

You will take a portion of the butter when you wake up and decide you need to bake a cake.

Vice

Put a generous portion of peanut butter or cream cheese in the Kong with his nose inches from it.

WikiHow

If you only have a plastic container that fits a portion of your butter, cut the block to fit the box and keep the rest in the refrigerator.

WikiHow

"A lot of butter.

The New York Times

To start making your sauce, combine equal portions of peanut butter and hot water (serving suggestions above).

WikiHow

But it's a marvelous single loaf as well: a fine-textured, surprisingly light dinner that pairs excellently with sautéed greens and the smallest portion of fresh pasta in butter and mint.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying a "portion of butter", consider clarifying the size or form, such as "a pat of butter" or "a tablespoon of butter", to enhance precision.

Common error

Avoid using "portion of butter" when a more specific term like "pat", "tablespoon", or "ounce" would provide clearer instructions or description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "portion of butter" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies a specific quantity or serving of butter, as seen in Ludwig examples where it appears in culinary and dietary contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "portion of butter" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to indicate a quantity of butter, as confirmed by Ludwig. While acceptable, it's often more effective to use more specific terms like "tablespoon", "pat", or "ounce" for clarity, especially in recipes. This phrase appears most frequently in news articles, encyclopedias, and wiki articles, demonstrating its versatility across different contexts. The phrase is deemed usable in written English by Ludwig, and serves well for describing ingredient amounts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amount of butter

Replaces "portion" with a more general term for quantity.

serving of butter

Substitutes "portion" to emphasize the act of serving.

quantity of butter

Replaces 'portion' with a more formal noun indicating amount.

pat of butter

Specifies a small, pre-cut amount of butter.

knob of butter

Indicates a small, roughly shaped piece of butter.

dab of butter

Suggests a very small amount of butter.

block of butter

Refers to a larger, solid piece of butter.

dollop of butter

Suggests a soft, rounded mass of butter.

lump of butter

Implies an irregularly shaped piece of butter.

fraction of butter

Indicates an indefinite amount of butter, less than a whole.

FAQs

How can I use "portion of butter" in a sentence?

You can use "portion of butter" to describe an amount of butter used in cooking, such as, "The recipe calls for a generous portion of butter to create a rich sauce."

What can I say instead of "portion of butter"?

You can use alternatives like "amount of butter", "quantity of butter", or "pat of butter" depending on the context.

Is it better to specify the exact amount of butter instead of using "portion of butter"?

Specifying the exact amount of butter, such as "tablespoon of butter" or "ounce of butter", is often clearer and more precise, especially in recipes or instructions. Using "portion of butter" is acceptable but can be less specific.

What's the difference between "portion of butter" and "slab of butter"?

"Portion of butter" refers to a general quantity, while "slab of butter" implies a thick, flat piece, not necessarily measured. The best choice depends on the context and the level of detail needed.