a better portion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a better portion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an improved or more favorable share of something, often in a comparative context. Example: "After the negotiations, we were able to secure a better portion of the profits for our team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Consumers pay a better portion of their plan premiums and undergoing higher out-of-pocket costs.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

IRACDA postdocs spend the better portion of a year teaching classes at a nearby partner institution; there are 42 such institutions in all.

Science Magazine

The Panama Canal is scheduled to be widened in a few years, and the Port Authority will, by then, have spent the better portion of a $3.8 billion capital investment plan to attract its massive freighters, which will have nearly double the capacity of current cargo ships.

The New York Times

He spent the better portion of a news conference fending off allegations that he was tilting the scales in favor of the home team, charges that he vigorously denied.

The New York Times - Sports

Also, using the better portion of a Saturday to watch six episodes straight doesn't make you a waste of space.

Huffington Post

I was astonished when, droning on at a dinner party about my campaign to dissuade my parents from handing over the better portion of their worldly goods to a still-under-construction "retirement community" out in the desert, I found that I had stumbled upon a cohort: the children of the elderly.

The New Yorker

In a time where millennials are currently dominating the better portion of the United States population and rapidly changing the overall attitude, customs, and traditions; the way in which we network, date, and talk to people is changing as well.

Huffington Post

Over the next several years, with little debate, Congress and the administration drifted into an agreement that showed every sign of being unbreakable: the better portion of the surplus would be off limits for tax cuts and new spending, and would be used only to reduce debt or fill Social Security's long-term financing gap.

The New York Times

Some experts call the estimate too low, but most agree the purchases will not only wipe out the budget surplus for the current fiscal year but also gobble up the better portion of the state's hard-earned reserves.

The New York Times

The lab is where the better portion of our lives is.

Science Magazine

I was living on the McDonald's diet for the better portion of probably six or seven years of our career".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a better portion", ensure the context clearly establishes what the portion is being compared to for clarity and impact. For example, "After renegotiating the contract, our company secured a better portion of the market share."

Common error

Avoid using "a better portion" without specifying what it is better than. Saying "We received a better portion" is less effective than saying "We received a better portion of the funding compared to last year".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a better portion" functions as a noun phrase, where "better" modifies the noun "portion". It typically denotes an improved or more favorable share of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a better portion" is a grammatically correct and usable term indicating an improved or more favorable share of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it finds use across various domains, with a higher prevalence in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what the portion is being compared to. Alternatives such as "an improved share" or "a larger segment" can be used to fine-tune the meaning based on the specific context. While versatile, it is important to be precise when a specific quantity is implied and therefore other alternatives may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an improved share

Focuses on the enhancement or betterment of the share.

a larger segment

Emphasizes the size and quantity of the segment.

a greater part

Highlights the magnitude or extent of the part.

a more significant amount

Stresses the importance and quantity of the amount.

a more advantageous allocation

Focuses on the favorable distribution or assignment.

an enhanced segment

Highlights the improvement of a segment.

a more favorable distribution

Highlights the positive nature of the distribution.

a bigger slice

Uses a more informal term to refer to a section or share.

a more substantial allocation

Emphasizes the considerable or significant nature of the allocation.

a preferential share

Suggests a share given priority or preference.

FAQs

How can I use "a better portion" in a sentence?

Use "a better portion" to describe an improved or more favorable share of something. For instance, "After the negotiations, we were able to secure "a better portion" of the profits for our team".

What's the difference between "a better portion" and "a larger portion"?

"A better portion" implies improvement in quality or favorability, while "a larger portion" simply indicates a greater quantity. For example, receiving "a better portion" of resources might mean they are allocated more efficiently, whereas a larger portion just means more resources.

What can I say instead of "a better portion"?

You can use alternatives like "an improved share", "a more significant amount", or "a greater part" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always correct to use "a better portion", or are there cases where another phrase is more appropriate?

While generally correct, "a better portion" may not always be the most precise choice. If you mean simply a larger quantity, "a larger portion" is more accurate. If you mean a more strategically advantageous allocation, "a more advantageous allocation" is better.