a good portion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a good portion" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to refer to a large or generous amount of something. For example, "The store gave me a good portion of discounts on my purchase, so I saved a lot of money."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

But he said that "a good portion have been valuable".

The New York Times - Tech

A good portion of the work falls under this rubric.

The New York Times - Arts

"A good portion of our guests are walk-in business".

The New York Times

Vermes insisted: "Dom spent a good portion of the year in Orlando.

The Guardian - Sport

They're in a good portion of Baghdad, but not all of Baghdad.

The New York Times

A good portion of them are trying, as they say, to put lipstick on the pig.

The Guardian - Opinion

That isn't at all a bad thing, as a good portion of "Offend Maggie" illustrates.

The New York Times

You might want to put a good portion of your renovation money into the kitchen.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"I believe nearly everybody is libertarian at heart, or at least a good portion of them.

Vice

Yet if "Stairway to Heaven" is plagiarized, so is a good portion of the classical canon.

The New Yorker

Over the years, Black sold a good portion of his stake, but never at a premium.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a good portion" to emphasize that a considerable amount or percentage of something is being referred to. For instance, "A good portion of the budget was allocated to research and development."

Common error

Avoid using "a good portion" in highly formal or technical writing where more precise quantitative terms are preferred. For example, instead of saying "A good portion of the sample showed signs of degradation", use "Approximately 65% of the sample showed signs of degradation."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good portion" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a considerable quantity or share of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. It's primarily used to quantify something in a non-specific, yet substantial manner.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

18%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a good portion" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate a notable amount or share of something. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and common usage. While versatile, remember that more precise language may be preferable in formal or scientific contexts. The phrase appears most commonly in News & Media, Academic, and Scientific sources, making it suitable for a wide range of writing styles. When you want to convey that a significant but non-specific quantity is involved, "a good portion" is a reliable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant part

Emphasizes the importance or impact of the portion being referred to.

a considerable amount

Highlights the size or extent of the portion.

a substantial segment

Suggests the portion is a notable fraction of a larger whole.

a sizable fraction

Indicates the portion is large relative to the total.

a large percentage

Quantifies the portion in terms of its proportion of the total.

a fair share

Implies the portion is equitable or reasonable.

a healthy chunk

Suggests the portion is of a desirable size or quantity.

a generous helping

Conveys the portion is abundant or ample.

a decent quantity

Indicates the portion is satisfactory or sufficient.

a respectable amount

Suggests the portion is worthy of recognition or attention.

FAQs

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

You can use "a good portion" to indicate that a significant amount or part of something is being discussed. For example, "A good portion of the students attended the lecture."

What are some alternatives to saying "a good portion"?

Alternatives include "a significant part", "a considerable amount", or "a substantial segment". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "a significant portion" instead of "a good portion"?

Yes, "a significant portion" is generally considered more formal and suitable for academic or professional writing, while "a good portion" is more neutral and can be used in a wider range of contexts.

What's the difference between "a good portion" and "a large portion"?

"A large portion" simply emphasizes the size of the part being referred to. "A good portion" can imply not only size but also that the amount is somehow beneficial or satisfactory depending on context. For example, "A large portion of the budget was spent vs "A good portion of the profits was donated to charity".