substantial chunk of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial chunk of time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a significant or considerable amount of time spent on an activity or task. Example: "I need a substantial chunk of time to complete this project effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Cathy Swerdlin from Atlanta spent a substantial chunk of time not only planting her sapling but landscaping it with the bounteous rocks in the area.

The New York Times

The reputable ones will be able to show that they're accredited by one of the two main umbrella organisations, and demonstrate that all courses include a substantial chunk of time where students practice teaching English to a real class, observed by experienced tutors.

Independent

You might want to set aside a substantial chunk of time.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"We've lost Semisi for a significant chunk of time.

BBC

Parents spend significant chunks of time delivering clinical care and it can make them feel they are neglecting other siblings.

BMC Health Services Research

Mr Winn said this had "absorbed a substantial chunk of water at the critical time as the river was hitting its peak" last week.

BBC

Jaws opened across North America on 464 screens amid an unprecedented publicity blitz: $2.5m was spent on promotion, a substantial chunk of which went on TV advertising, still a novelty at that time.

The Guardian - Film

Pampered on the Pampas Vik visited his mother’s native Uruguay for the first time as an adult and was so deeply smitten with the landscape he bought a substantial chunk of it.

Forbes

At other times, these panels unlock new, stronger weapons, like a golden hammer that takes a substantial chunk of health off the demo's lightweight general enemies.

Vice

That suggests an election would see the obliteration of a substantial chunk of Labour MPs.

The Guardian - Opinion

They did represent a substantial chunk of the $5.5 million cost of the home, she acknowledged.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantial chunk of time" when you want to emphasize that a significant amount of time is needed or was spent on something, particularly when the time is viewed as a resource.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial chunk of time" in very informal settings; alternatives like "a lot of time" or "ages" may be more appropriate. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial chunk of time" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It denotes a significant duration allocated to an activity or process. As per Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "substantial chunk of time" is a grammatically sound expression used to denote a considerable duration, as confirmed by Ludwig. While not exceedingly common, it appears primarily in news and media contexts. The phrase functions as a noun phrase, often emphasizing the significant amount of time invested in an activity. While versatile, be mindful of the tone and appropriateness in extremely informal conversations. Alternatives like "considerable amount of time" and "significant period of time" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable amount of time

Replaces "chunk" with "amount", focusing on the quantity of time.

significant period of time

Substitutes both "substantial chunk" and "time" for synonyms.

large block of time

Emphasizes the time as a single, continuous unit.

appreciable duration

More formal and emphasizes the length of time.

sizeable portion of time

Uses "portion" instead of "chunk", implying a division of time.

extended period

Focuses on the length and continuity of the time.

prolonged duration

Highlights the drawn-out nature of the time.

long stretch of time

Implies a continuous and uninterrupted period.

good deal of time

More informal than "substantial chunk of time".

meaningful timeframe

Focuses on the importance or impact of the time period.

FAQs

What does "substantial chunk of time" mean?

The phrase "substantial chunk of time" refers to a significant or considerable amount of time. It implies that the time period is large enough to be noteworthy or impactful.

How can I use "substantial chunk of time" in a sentence?

You can use "substantial chunk of time" to describe the duration of an activity, project, or event. For example, "I need a "substantial chunk of time" to complete this project" or "She dedicated a "substantial chunk of time" to volunteering."

What can I say instead of "substantial chunk of time"?

You can use alternatives like "considerable amount of time", "significant period of time", or "large block of time" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "substantial chunk of time" or "significant amount of time"?

Both "substantial chunk of time" and "significant amount of time" are correct. The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone. "Substantial chunk of time" might emphasize the time as a resource, while "significant amount of time" is more neutral.