a fifth

USAGE SUMMARY

"a fifth" is a grammatically correct phrase and is commonly used in written English.
It is used to refer to one out of five equal parts or fractions of something. You can use it to describe a portion of something or to indicate that something is fifth in a series or ranking. Example: I only ate a fifth of the pizza because I was saving room for dessert. This is our fifth meeting this month, and I hope it will be more productive than the previous ones. She was the fifth person to cross the finish line in the race. The teacher decided to give the students a fifth of the homework they had originally assigned.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

A: Fifth Amendment.

The Guardian - Film

A fifth of MEPs?

The Economist

Almost a fifth are female.

The Economist

It was a fifth attack.

The Economist

It is building a fifth.

The Economist

Now just a fifth do.

The Economist

A fifth suspect is still being hunted.

Independent

So to a fifth, and decisive set.

Independent

Tax receipts have fallen by a fifth.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

I'm a fifth-generation journalist.

The New York Times

"I'm like a fifth-grader.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a fifth" to describe a proportion, ensure the context clearly defines the whole to which it refers. For example, "a fifth of the budget" is clearer than simply stating "a fifth."

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by specifying the 'whole' when using "a fifth". Saying "a fifth of what?" can prevent confusion. For instance, clarify "a fifth of the profits" instead of just "a fifth".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fifth" primarily functions as a determiner or adjectival phrase modifying a noun, indicating a fractional quantity. Ludwig shows examples where it quantifies a portion of something, such as "a fifth of voters" or indicates an ordinal position like "a fifth suspect".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

24%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fifth" functions as a determiner or adjectival phrase used to express a fractional quantity or a specific position in a sequence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse applications. To ensure clarity, always specify the whole to which "a fifth" refers to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases include "one fifth" and "20 percent", offering alternative ways to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one fifth

Emphasizes the fractional quantity more directly, similar to saying "one quarter" instead of "a quarter".

the fifth part

Highlights that specific part of a whole or numbered series.

20 percent

Replaces the fraction with its percentage equivalent, offering a numerical expression of the same proportion.

fifth in line

Specifies ordinal position in a sequence, focusing on the position rather than quantity.

number five

Replaces the ordinal with its cardinal representation, useful for clarifying position.

a portion

Focuses on the idea of a part of the whole, less specific numerically than "a fifth".

a fraction

Broader term, referring to any part of a whole, without specifying the exact quantity.

a section

Highlights a distinct part or segment, without numerical implication.

a part

General term for a piece or component of something, less precise than "a fifth".

a small piece

Focuses on the size of the portion, implying a smaller amount relative to the whole.

FAQs

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

You can use "a fifth" to describe a portion of something, such as "a fifth of the cake", or to indicate position in a series, like "the fifth person in line".

What are some alternatives to saying "a fifth"?

You can use alternatives like "one fifth", "20 percent", or "a portion depending on the context".

Is it correct to say "one fifth" instead of "a fifth"?

Yes, both "a fifth" and "one fifth" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably to describe the same proportion.

What is the difference between "a fifth" and "the fifth"?

"A fifth" refers to one part out of five, while "the fifth" specifies a particular item in a sequence or series. For example, "a fifth of the pizza" vs. "the fifth chapter of the book".