a certain portion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a certain portion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an unspecified or particular part of something, often in a more formal or literary context. Example: "A certain portion of the budget will be allocated to research and development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This "blinding" is achieved by holding out a certain portion of the data during model development.

Journal of Cheminformatics

And every year bureaucratic delays prevent a certain portion of those visas from being claimed.

The New York Times

"A certain portion of your leg has to be exposed, to lengthen the look," she explained.

The New York Times

It could be that a certain portion of the transparency is going to be taken away".

The New York Times

The government mandated that private companies hire a certain portion of black employees.

Independent

It's acknowledged that a certain portion of the nation looks for its heroes on its playing fields, but not Schilling.

The New York Times - Sports

He said the department would require them to spend a certain portion of state money on improvements.

The New York Times

Common knowledge suggests a certain portion of training data should be separated and used to test a conventional DNN setup.

Nature

Biodegraded crude oils in China are distributed widely and make up a certain portion of heavy-oil resources.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

A certain portion of society should not be prevented from using public facilities they help pay for.

The New York Times

"She asked, 'Are you discriminating against a certain portion of the population?' And that question was enough.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a certain portion", ensure the context clarifies whether the portion is significant or negligible to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, repeatedly using "a certain portion" can make writing sound unnecessarily formal or vague. Use more precise language when possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain portion" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate an unspecified quantity or part. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a certain portion" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate an unspecified part or quantity of something. As Ludwig AI points out, it's suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and formal business communications. While versatile, it's important to consider whether a more specific term would enhance clarity. When precision is not required or the exact amount is unknown, "a certain portion" serves as a useful and acceptable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a share

Suggests a part allocated or belonging to someone or something, differing from the general sense of "a certain portion".

a particular segment

Highlights a distinct section or division, offering a more structured perspective compared to "a certain portion".

a section

Refers to a distinct part of something, often suggesting a physical or organizational division different from "a certain portion".

a specific amount

Emphasizes a particular quantity, making it more definite than "a certain portion".

a division

Emphasizes the act of separating into parts, shifting focus from the part itself as in "a certain portion".

a fraction

Indicates a part of a whole, often implying a smaller amount than what "a certain portion" might suggest.

a percentage

Quantifies the part as a fraction of a hundred, providing a numerical measure unlike the ambiguous "a certain portion".

an allocation

Focuses on the distribution or assignment of a part, differing from the general sense of having some part as "a certain portion".

a quantity

Highlights the measurable aspect of the part, focusing on the amount rather than its nature as "a certain portion" does.

a quota

Implies a pre-determined or required amount, which contrasts with the unspecified nature of "a certain portion".

FAQs

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

You can use "a certain portion" to refer to an unspecified amount or part of something, as in "A certain portion of the budget is allocated to marketing."

What are some alternatives to "a certain portion"?

You can use alternatives like "a specific amount", "a particular segment", or "a share" depending on the context.

Is it better to be specific instead of using "a certain portion"?

In many cases, being specific enhances clarity. However, "a certain portion" is useful when the exact amount is unknown or irrelevant, or when generality is preferred.

What is the difference between "a certain portion" and "a large portion"?

"A certain portion" indicates an unspecified part, while "a large portion" specifies that the part is substantial. The former is neutral; the latter emphasizes size.