A small subset of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A small subset of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a portion or smaller group that is part of a larger category or set. Example: "A small subset of the population prefers to work remotely rather than in an office setting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A small subset of other titles have caused almost as much bedevilment among the Netflix Prize competitors.

The New York Times - Magazine

A small subset of the vertices are cabinets and one vertex is the central office.

Computer Communications

A small subset of this group are high impact entrepreneurs.

Forbes

A small subset of batteries could overheat and potentially catch fire.

Forbes

A small subset of AI startups will resemble SaaS businesses from the beginning, before AI is deployed in the product.

TechCrunch

But this is only a small subset of the job.

Harvard Business Review

However, a small subset of patients remains normohomocysteinemic.

American Journal of Kidney Diseases

Only a small subset of strains is pathogenic.

Journal of Microbiological Methods

Conversations about bombings and attacking Parliament appeared to involve only a small subset of the group.

The New York Times

Pandas cases represent a small subset of all children who have O.C.D.

The New York Times - Health

In a small subset of diffuse esophageal spasm patients ( 5%), vigorous or classic achalasia develops.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add impact, specify characteristics shared in common by items within "a small subset of" to emphasize their specific and selective nature.

Common error

Avoid using "a small subset of" when the group is already known to be very small. Using it in such contexts can be redundant and weaken the overall impact of your writing. Consider if other alternatives could add more nuance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small subset of" functions as a determiner phrase. It identifies a specific, limited portion of a larger group or category. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts. For example, "A small subset of batteries could overheat and potentially catch fire."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

31%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a small subset of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves to specify a limited portion of a larger group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is applicable across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Academia and Science. While adaptable to both neutral and formal registers, it is crucial to ensure that its use is not redundant by overstating the size. Alternatives such as "a limited selection of", "a small portion of", and "a select few of" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A limited selection of

Focuses on the restrictive nature of the selection process.

A small portion of

Emphasizes the quantity and size of the section.

A select few of

Highlights the exclusivity and special characteristic of the selected items.

A minority of

Emphasizes that it is less than half.

Only a fraction of

Highlights how small and insignificant the portion is.

A handful of

Specifies that the quantity is small enough to be counted easily.

A restricted number of

Highlights the limited number/quantity of the selection.

A finite group of

Emphasizes that there is a known limit to the elements.

A defined segment of

Indicates that the subset is determined with precision.

A controlled set of

Focuses on the controlled and monitored nature of the subset.

FAQs

How can I use "a small subset of" in a sentence?

You can use "a small subset of" to indicate that you're referring to a limited portion within a larger group. For example, "A small subset of users reported issues after the update".

What phrases are similar to "a small subset of"?

Alternatives to "a small subset of" include phrases like "a limited selection of", "a small portion of", or "a select few of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify the size when using "a subset of"?

No, specifying "small" isn't always necessary. "A subset of" implies a part of a larger group, but adding "small" emphasizes the limited quantity or significance of that part.

What is the difference between "a small subset of" and "a majority of"?

"A small subset of" indicates a small portion of a group, while "a majority of" indicates more than half of the group. They represent opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of quantity.