a fraction of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fraction of time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very small or insignificant amount of time in various contexts, such as discussions about duration or timing. Example: "The experiment was completed in a fraction of time compared to previous trials."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

"Sometimes it seems a fraction of time," he says, "sometimes an eternity".

The Guardian - Books

A fraction of time shaved here or there can be crucial, which was why Grimmette played part fashion model, part corpse for the day, while his suits were analyzed.

The New York Times - Sports

Circulation now stands at a tiny 100,000, a fraction of Time's and Newsweek's readership.

The New York Times

We delivered in a fraction of time and without any security holes.

TechCrunch

The factor, indicates the historical link quality as a fraction of time the link was connected during the last slots.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

In TSR protocol, the relay use a fraction of time for energy harvesting and the remaining time for information decoding.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Secondly, when no agreement is reached, on average each party will get its preferred candidate a fraction of times equal to the fraction of its Parliamentary seats.

SERIEs

Organizations can deploy tools in a fraction of the time required a decade ago.

Huffington Post

"For the first time, we have a centralized and consented set of data for use in translational research, in a fraction of the time and cost".

TechCrunch

A fraction of the time, in fact".

The Guardian - Tech

Only a fraction of her time is spent preparing lessons.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a fraction of time" when you want to emphasize that something takes considerably less time than expected, or that an activity occupies only a small part of a larger timeframe.

Common error

While "a fraction of time" is widely applicable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing where more precise language might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "a small portion of the allotted time" or "a significantly reduced duration".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fraction of time" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to indicate the duration or speed with which an action is performed. Ludwig indicates that it is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a fraction of time" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression indicating that something occupies a small portion of time or happens very quickly. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability across diverse contexts. Analysis of usage patterns reveals its prevalence in scientific and news media, with a neutral register appropriate for both professional and general communication. When aiming for precision or heightened formality, consider using alternatives such as "a significantly reduced duration". As Ludwig's examples show, it is an effective way to emphasize efficiency or brevity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tiny amount of time

Directly conveys the small quantity of time involved.

a moment

Refers to a very short period; emphasizes brevity.

hardly any time

Emphasizes the insignificance of the duration.

a split second

Highlights extreme brevity; often used in contexts involving speed or critical timing.

a short span

Emphasizes limited duration.

a brief period

Similar to "a short span", but slightly more formal.

a small window of time

Implies a limited opportunity within a timeframe.

in no time at all

Indicates that something happens very quickly.

almost instantly

Focuses on the near-immediacy of an event.

in record time

Highlights speed and efficiency, often in comparison to previous efforts.

FAQs

How can I use "a fraction of time" in a sentence?

You can use "a fraction of time" to indicate that something takes very little time or occupies only a small portion of a longer period. For example, "The process now takes "a fraction of time" compared to the old method".

What can I say instead of "a fraction of time"?

You can use alternatives like "a moment", "a split second", or "a tiny amount of time" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "in a fraction of the time"?

Yes, "in a fraction of the time" is a correct and commonly used variant. It emphasizes the comparison to a previous or expected duration. For example: "The task was completed in "a fraction of the time" it used to take".

What's the difference between "a fraction of time" and "a brief moment"?

"A fraction of time" emphasizes that something occupies only a small part of a longer period, while "a brief moment" simply indicates a very short duration. The former implies a comparison or proportion, whereas the latter focuses on absolute shortness.