small piece

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small piece" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a minor portion or fragment of something. For example, "She took a small piece of cake." Alternative expressions include "tiny bit" and "little portion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A small piece.

The New York Times - Books

The cake -- a small piece -- is important".

The New York Times

A small piece, however, will ignite.

The New York Times

But a small piece was missing.

The New York Times

And that's no small piece of magic.

The New York Times - Magazine

He found a small piece of agate.

The New York Times

"It was a small piece, you know.

The New York Times - Arts

It could be a small piece of it.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

He found one small piece of root that seemed alive.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

My small piece of this puzzle?

The New York Times

"Everybody wants a small piece of the dream.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical objects, consider using more descriptive adjectives to specify the size and shape of the "small piece", such as "thin sliver", "tiny cube", or "narrow strip".

Common error

Avoid using "small piece" in vague or ambiguous contexts. Always provide enough information for the reader to understand what the "small piece" is a part of and why its size matters.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small piece" functions primarily as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. It serves to identify a specific, limited quantity of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

31%

News & Media

31%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small piece" is a versatile and frequently used term to describe a limited portion or fragment of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and general writing. While "small piece" is generally neutral in tone, it's important to provide sufficient context to avoid ambiguity and consider more descriptive adjectives to enhance clarity. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively incorporate "small piece" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small amount

A straightforward alternative emphasizing the limited quantity.

tiny fragment

Emphasizes the diminutive size of the portion, focusing on its fragmented nature.

minor portion

Highlights the relatively small amount or share of something.

limited amount

Focuses on the restricted quantity or extent of something.

minute quantity

Highlights the extremely small amount or number of something.

little bit

Offers a more informal and general way to refer to a small quantity.

modest portion

Suggests a restrained or moderate quantity of something.

reduced quantity

Highlights the diminished or lessened amount of something.

thin slice

Specifies a narrow or shallow cut of something.

fractional part

Implies that the quantity is only a fraction of the whole.

FAQs

How can I use "small piece" in a sentence?

You can use "small piece" to describe a limited portion of something, as in "She only ate a "small piece" of cake" or "He needed only a "small piece" of land to build his house".

What are some alternatives to saying "small piece"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "tiny fragment", "minor portion", or "limited amount".

Is it better to say "small piece of" or "small part of"?

Both "small piece of" and "small part of" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Piece" often refers to a physical object, while "part" can be more abstract. For example, "a "small piece" of cake" vs. "a "small part" of the problem".

How does the choice of synonyms affect the meaning of "small piece"?

Synonyms like "thin slice" or "tiny bit" can add precision to your description. The best choice depends on what aspect of the "small piece" you want to emphasize.