Only one tenth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Only one tenth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a fraction or a portion of something, specifically indicating that it is one part out of ten equal parts. Example: "Only one tenth of the participants completed the survey."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Only one tenth of Americans buy insurance for themselves, the rest getting coverage through their employers or the government.

Forbes

Only one tenth of those who reported having a fever were actually found to be febrile.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

China counters that its emissions, on a per capita basis, are only one tenth of North America's.

Huffington Post

On the other hand, psychopathy was present among only one tenth, which was less than we expected.

BMC Psychiatry

The better heaters produce only one tenth the smoke of typical heaters seven years ago.

Renewable Energy

Go-go dancing demands exhausting vigor, time and energy -- but often yields only one tenth of a stripper's pay.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Half of the commercial port traffic is concentrated on only one-tenth of the coastline.

Britannica

In a Finnish study, only one-tenth of the wintering goldcrest population, which mainly fed on spiders, survived to spring.

Wikipedia

However, only one-tenth had major errors that would have noteworthy threat on the quality of COD statistics.

BMJ Open

"That's only one-tenth of a water tanker.

The New York Times

Only one-tenth of the land is forested.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Only one tenth", ensure the context clearly defines what the tenth is a fraction of to avoid ambiguity. For example, "Only one tenth of the students passed the exam" is clearer than "Only one tenth passed".

Common error

Avoid using "Only one tenth" without specifying the total quantity or group. This can lead to confusion. For example, instead of saying "Only one tenth showed up", specify "Only one tenth of the invited guests showed up".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Only one tenth" functions as a quantifier, specifying a particular fraction or proportion. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is usable in written English. It modifies a noun to indicate that a very small part of the whole is being considered, as seen in the example, "Only one tenth of Americans buy insurance for themselves." It is a determinative phrase, typically preceding the noun it modifies.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Only one tenth" is a grammatically sound quantifier used to indicate a small proportion, specifically 1/10th of a whole. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. Predominantly found in scientific and news media contexts, it serves to emphasize the limited quantity or significance of the fraction being discussed. While versatile, clarity is paramount; ensure the context clearly defines what the "tenth" refers to. Alternatives such as "ten percent" or "a tenth part" offer similar meanings, adaptable to various writing needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Ten percent

Expresses the same proportion using percentage.

Just a tenth

Replaces "only" with "just", making it slightly more casual.

A tenth part

Replaces "only" with "a", slightly more formal.

Merely one tenth

Substitutes "only" with "merely", adding a sense of insignificance.

One tenth portion

Substitutes "part" with "portion", emphasizing the fraction's role as a share.

One tenth alone

Emphasizes the isolated nature of the one tenth.

A small fraction

Generalizes the proportion without specifying the exact fraction.

A minimal part

Emphasizes the small size of the fraction in a more descriptive way.

Negligible fraction

Highlights the insignificance of the fraction.

Hardly any

This phrase denotes a quantity that is barely present or significant.

FAQs

How can I use "Only one tenth" in a sentence?

Use "Only one tenth" to express a small proportion or fraction of something. For example, "Only one tenth of the students passed the exam".

What are some alternatives to "Only one tenth"?

Alternatives include "a tenth part", "ten percent", or "just a tenth", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "Only one tenth" or "Ten percent"?

Both are correct and often interchangeable. "Only one tenth" is suitable when emphasizing the fractional aspect, while "ten percent" is better when focusing on the proportional value.

What's the difference between "Only one tenth" and "A small fraction"?

"Only one tenth" is a specific fraction, while "a small fraction" is a more general term indicating a minor portion without specifying the exact value. A small fraction might be smaller than "only one tenth", but it could also be 1/8 or even 1/5.