Around a fifth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Around a fifth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an approximate fraction or percentage, typically in contexts involving statistics or measurements. Example: "Around a fifth of the participants reported feeling more energized after the workshop."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The average weekly rent was between two and four shillings (around a fifth of the average wages at the time).

Wikipedia

Around a fifth of an average car tyre is therefore made of natural rubber.

The Economist

Around a fifth of all A-level candidates get an A grade.

The Economist

Around a fifth of all British restaurants now serve various Asian cuisines.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Around a fifth of all Sids cases are due to genetic defects.

The Guardian

Around a fifth have four of the five major mental health disorders.

The Guardian

Around a fifth of all applicants - 100,000 children - miss out on first choice each year.

The Guardian

Around a fifth of Britain's restaurants are Asian or Oriental.

BBC

Around a fifth of all mobile advertising goes through Facebook.

Huffington Post

Around a fifth died within the first week of admission.

BMC Psychiatry

Around a fifth of the patients are either receiving treatment or in the recovery and readjustment phase having completed their treatment in the preceding year.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "around a fifth", ensure the context clearly indicates what the fraction refers to. For example, "Around a fifth of the students participated in the survey."

Common error

Avoid assuming that "around a fifth" always implies a total of five. It represents approximately 20% of a whole, regardless of the actual number of parts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around a fifth" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by specifying an approximate quantity or proportion. As indicated by Ludwig, it expresses an inexact amount, which is why the word "around" is used before "a fifth".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

37%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "around a fifth" is a common and grammatically correct way to express an approximate proportion equivalent to 20%. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's widely used across various domains, including news, science, and general discussions, maintaining a neutral register. While precise alternatives exist (e.g., "exactly 20 percent"), "around a fifth" is suitable when approximation suffices. Remember to ensure clarity regarding what the fraction refers to and avoid misinterpreting the denominator. Its widespread use ensures it's readily understood, making it a versatile addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately one-fifth

Replaces "around" with "approximately" for a more formal tone but retains the same fractional quantity.

roughly 20 percent

Converts the fraction to a percentage, offering a numerical representation of the same proportion.

about a fifth

Substitutes "around" with "about", offering a slightly less precise but similar meaning.

in the vicinity of one-fifth

Uses a more descriptive and less direct way of indicating the same proportion.

close to a fifth

Emphasizes that the actual amount is near, but not exactly, one-fifth.

nearly a fifth

Indicates that the quantity is just below one-fifth.

just over 20 percent

Expresses the value as a percentage with a slight upward variance.

a little less than a quarter

Relates "a fifth" to a more commonly understood fraction, framing it comparatively.

a fraction approaching one-fifth

Highlights that the portion is nearing the size of one-fifth, using more descriptive language.

something like a fifth

Adds a degree of informality and approximation to the quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "around a fifth" in a sentence?

You can use "around a fifth" to indicate that a quantity or proportion is approximately 20%. For example, "Around a fifth of the city's population lives in poverty."

What are some alternatives to "around a fifth"?

Some alternatives include "approximately one-fifth", "roughly 20 percent", or "about a fifth" depending on the level of formality you require.

Is it correct to say "near to a fifth" instead of "around a fifth"?

While understandable, "near to a fifth" isn't as common as "around a fifth". A more natural phrasing would be "close to a fifth" or "nearly a fifth".

When should I use "around a fifth" versus "exactly 20 percent"?

Use "around a fifth" when an approximation is sufficient and you don't need to be precise. Use "exactly 20 percent" when accuracy is important.