a good fraction

USAGE SUMMARY

"a good fraction" is a correct phrase and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a ratio of two numbers that is considered to be beneficial. For example, "We were able to increase our profits by a good fraction this quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

That distance is a good fraction of the way into space.

MIT Technology Review

And a good fraction of it is actually biological, so it will degrade naturally.

MIT Technology Review

"You have to search a good fraction of the sky to find these satellites," Mr. Sheppard said.

The New York Times - Science

Remarkably, this project encompasses a good fraction of the neuroscience literature with a wide spectrum of journal rankings.

Nature

At the moment of their explosion, supernovae emit a good fraction of their energy in a burst of X-rays.

Britannica

Even at high rates, the sample operated at a good fraction of its capacity.

Electrochimica Acta

This means they are potentially missing a good fraction of the kinetic energy of the merger because their spectroscopic measurements only track the radial speeds of the galaxies.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

After analyzing a large number of TEM images, we were able to conclude that our dispersion contains a very good fraction of monolayer graphene.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Furthermore, a good ejection fraction was maintained, and pulmonary hypertension was not observed even in adulthood.

Surgical Case Reports

Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated a good ejection fraction (64%); however, the anterior wall motion of the left ventricle indicated mild hypokinesis.

Surgical Case Reports

The discovery of planets orbiting other stars has suddenly given astronomers a good idea of the fraction of stars with planets and the fraction with rocky planets in the habitable zone.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a good fraction" when you want to indicate that a notable part of something is being considered, without specifying an exact numerical value. It is suitable for contexts where precision is not required but a substantial quantity is implied.

Common error

Avoid using "a good fraction" in highly formal or technical writing where precise numerical data is expected. Instead, provide specific percentages or ratios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good fraction" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that a notable portion or amount is being referred to. As Ludwig points out, the phrase is usable and correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a good fraction" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a notable portion or amount of something, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is frequently used in news, scientific, and academic contexts to indicate a substantial quantity without requiring precise numerical specification. While versatile, avoid using it in formal or technical contexts where precise data is expected. Instead, consider alternative phrases like "a significant portion" or "a substantial segment" to adjust the nuance as needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant portion

Emphasizes the importance or size of the part being referred to.

a substantial segment

Highlights the part as a notable component of a larger whole.

a considerable amount

Focuses on the quantity or degree of something.

a large proportion

Indicates the relative size of the part compared to the whole.

a sizable chunk

Implies a more informal and less precise quantity.

a respectable share

Suggests an amount that is worthy of recognition or approval.

a healthy piece

Indicates a substantial and positive contribution or portion.

a fair percentage

Refers to a reasonable and justifiable amount based on a total.

a notable quantity

Highlights the remarkableness of the amount or number.

a worthwhile piece

Indicates that the portion is valuable or beneficial.

FAQs

What does "a good fraction" mean?

The phrase "a good fraction" means a significant or substantial portion of something. It indicates that a notable part of the whole is being considered, without necessarily specifying an exact quantity or percentage.

How can I use "a good fraction" in a sentence?

You can use "a good fraction" to describe a portion that is significant or worthwhile, such as, "A good fraction of the students passed the exam" or "A good fraction of the budget was allocated to research."

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

You can use alternatives like "a significant portion", "a substantial segment", or "a considerable amount" depending on the context.

Is "a good fraction" formal or informal?

The phrase "a good fraction" is generally considered neutral in tone and suitable for a variety of contexts. While not overly formal, it is also appropriate for many professional settings, though more precise language may be preferred in technical contexts.