a fraction of which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fraction of which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a part of a whole, often in a context where you are discussing a subset of a larger group or quantity. Example: "The committee reviewed several proposals, a fraction of which were selected for further consideration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

As a result, the Baltic has an estimated hundred thousand shipwrecks, only a fraction of which have been explored.

The New Yorker

It now totals some 6,000 objects, only a fraction of which can be displayed at any time.

The New York Times - Arts

He has a vast reservoir of material for stories and novels, only a fraction of which he actually publishes.

The Guardian - Books

He has read every word I've ever written, only a fraction of which I've published.

The New York Times

"In a world of infinite metamorphoses — only a fraction of which we're privy to," Xeno notes, "who can cleanly separate the fantastical from the commonplace?

The New York Times - Books

In total, over the past year, I must have spent at least £200, only a fraction of which I was able to reclaim.

The Guardian

The government is owed 45 billion euros in back taxes, tax officials in Athens said, only a fraction of which will ever be recovered.

The New York Times

The total cost of the pirate's investment might have been less than $30,000, a fraction of which went into the firearms.

The New York Times

Bets placed on British racing in the rapidly expanding online sector, all but a fraction of which are placed via the major firms' offshore operations in Gibraltar and Malta, will remain outside the reach of the Levy system.

The Guardian - Sport

A tumor, Fidler showed, is made of a heterogeneous mixture of millions of cells, only a fraction of which are equipped to leave the primary tumor, form an exploitative alliance with the "soil" of another organ, and initiate metastasis.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

A typical, wild golden poison frog has from 700 to 1,900 micrograms of toxin in its system, a fraction of which 200 micrograms or less is enough to kill a human.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a fraction of which" to precisely indicate that you are referring to a subset of a larger group or quantity, especially when the exact amount is not as important as the fact that it's less than the whole. For example, 'The library contained thousands of books, a fraction of which were first editions.'

Common error

Avoid using "a fraction of which" when you can specify the exact quantity or percentage. This phrase is best suited for situations where precision is either impossible or unnecessary; otherwise, aim for clarity by stating specific numbers. For example, instead of saying "The company had many employees, a fraction of which were engineers", if possible, say "The company had 200 employees, 50 of whom were engineers."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fraction of which" functions as a relative clause modifier, specifying a portion of a previously mentioned noun or noun phrase. It indicates that only a part of the whole is being considered. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates that you are discussing a subset of a larger group.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fraction of which" is a versatile phrase used to denote a portion of a larger whole, as supported by Ludwig's analysis. It's deemed grammatically correct and commonly found in varied writing contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific publications. While it maintains a neutral to slightly formal register, it's crucial to be mindful of clarity and precision, opting for specific numbers when feasible. Alternative phrases like "a portion of which" or "some of which" can serve as substitutes, though "a fraction of which" is most suitable when exact quantities are unknown or unimportant. Ludwig's examples further illustrate its adaptability in conveying subset relationships across diverse subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a portion of which

Replaces "fraction" with "portion", a direct synonym maintaining similar formality and meaning.

a proportion of which

Substitutes "fraction" with "proportion", highlighting a comparative amount.

a segment of which

Substitutes "fraction" with "segment", emphasizing a distinct part of the whole.

a part of which

Replaces "fraction" with the more general term "part", slightly reducing formality.

some of which

Uses "some" instead of "a fraction", indicating an unspecified quantity, less precise.

a percentage of which

Substitutes "fraction" with "percentage", focusing on a numerical proportion.

a share of which

Employs "share" instead of "fraction", suggesting a distributed portion of the whole.

a piece of which

Replaces "fraction" with "piece", implying a tangible or distinct element of the whole.

a certain amount of which

Uses "a certain amount" to indicate an indefinite quantity, less precise than "a fraction".

only a small part of which

Adds emphasis on the small size of the portion, making it more descriptive.

FAQs

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

Use "a fraction of which" to indicate a portion of a larger set. For example, "The museum has thousands of artifacts, "a fraction of which" are currently on display".

What phrases are similar to "a fraction of which"?

Alternatives include "a portion of which", "a part of which", or "some of which", offering similar ways to refer to a subset of a larger group.

Is "a fraction of which" formal or informal?

"A fraction of which" is generally considered neutral to formal in tone. It's suitable for academic writing, news articles, and professional communication, but might be replaced with simpler alternatives in very informal contexts.

When should I avoid using "a fraction of which"?

Avoid using "a fraction of which" when you need to be precise about the amount. In situations where the exact number or percentage is known and relevant, providing specific figures is more informative.