stick of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stick of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a long, thin piece of something, often food or material, such as a stick of butter or a stick of gum. Example: "I need a stick of butter for this recipe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or a stick of Dynamite?

The New Yorker

The stick of dynamite explodes.

The New Yorker

Curved stick of carved hardwood.

Yale University

(Pops a stick of nicotine gum).

The New Yorker

"Have a stick of Beech-Nut gum".

The New Yorker

Every last stick of it.

The Guardian - Books

"And another stick of butter".

The New York Times - Travel

Ate a stick of celery.

The Guardian

Doesn't complain about the stick of summer?

The New York Times - Style

It is a stick of oak.

The New Yorker

Her recipe calls for one stick of butter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stick of" to refer to items that are typically sold or measured in elongated, cylindrical shapes, such as "a stick of butter" or "a stick of gum".

Common error

Avoid using "stick of" to describe items that do not naturally conform to a long, thin shape. It would be incorrect to say "a stick of water" because water isn't shaped that way.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stick of" functions as a modifier followed by a noun, specifying the form or quantity of the noun. Ludwig AI examples show it commonly precedes words like "butter", "gum", or "celery", indicating a long, slender piece.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

27%

Science

20%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "stick of" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an elongated item, often food or a similar substance. According to Ludwig AI, its most frequent use cases are in "News & Media", followed by "Wiki" and "Science". When using "stick of", make sure that you're referring to items fitting the description (long and thin), avoiding misapplication to shapeless items like liquid. Remember to consider alternatives such as "piece of" or "portion of" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

piece of

Replaces "stick" with a more general term for a portion or segment.

portion of

Emphasizes a specific quantity or allocation of something.

length of

Highlights the measurement or extent of an object.

segment of

Indicates a distinct part or division of something.

portion size of

Specifically refers to the amount of something served or consumed.

unit of

Implies a standardized measurement or quantity.

measure of

Focuses on the act of quantifying or assessing something.

amount of

Refers to the total quantity or extent of something.

component of

Highlights that the subject is one part of a larger whole.

scrap of

Indicates a small, leftover or discarded piece of material.

FAQs

How can I use "stick of" in a sentence?

You can use "stick of" to describe elongated items like "a "stick of butter"" for baking, or "a "stick of celery"" as a healthy snack.

What are some alternatives to "stick of"?

Depending on the context, you could use "piece of", "length of", or "portion of" as alternatives to "stick of".

Is it correct to say "stick of water"?

No, it is not correct. "Stick of" is generally used for solid or semi-solid items with an elongated shape. It's more appropriate to say "glass of water" or "bottle of water".

What's the difference between "stick of butter" and "pat of butter"?

A ""stick of butter"" refers to a full, rectangular block of butter, typically 1/2 cup. A "pat of butter" is a small, often square, serving-sized piece.