a great portion of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great portion of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a significant part or amount of something, often in discussions about quantities or distributions. Example: "A great portion of the budget was allocated to research and development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

America has rebuilt a great portion of the world.

The New York Times

After 200 thermal cycles, a great portion of the topcoat has failed.

Surface and Coatings Technology

A great portion of revenue is already locked in, through television contracts and corporate sponsorships.

The New York Times

James Levine has spent a great portion of his career conducting challenging Italian operas.

The New York Times

A great portion of the primary energy is consumed by space heating and cooling in buildings.

Applied Thermal Engineering

He said that a great portion of the mountain gorilla's story and survival is because of Mr. Akeley's work.

The New York Times

The mound-building Mississippians dominated a great portion of the eastern half of the present-day United States between 1000 and 1500.

The Guardian

The president of the W.C.S., Steven Sanderson (no relation), has allowed him to devote a great portion of his time to Mannahatta.

The New Yorker

Cells with a grid placed predominately on grain boundaries exhibit higher conversion efficiencies than cells where a great portion of the grid covers crystallites.

Recent Advances in Multidisciplinary Applied Physics Proceedings of the First International Meeting on Applied Physics (APHYS-2003) October 13-18th 2003, Badajoz, Spain

But even religious leaders acknowledge that a great portion of those people are secular and would not vote to elect a theocratic government.

The New York Times

One thing the media misses is that a great portion of the white working class would align with any sense before victimhood.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a great portion of", ensure that the noun it modifies is clearly defined and quantified to provide context for the amount being referenced. For instance, specify "a great portion of the budget" rather than just "a great portion".

Common error

Avoid using "a great portion of" in contexts that require precise numerical data. While it indicates a significant amount, it lacks the specificity needed for scientific or financial reporting. In such cases, use percentages or exact figures for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great portion of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically indicating a sizable quantity or share of something. Ludwig shows that it often precedes a noun, specifying that a considerable part of that noun is being referred to.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a great portion of" is a versatile and commonly used expression to denote a significant quantity or share. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While suitable for many situations, it's best to avoid it in contexts requiring precise numerical data, opting instead for specific figures or percentages. Consider alternatives like "a substantial portion of" or "a significant part of" to tailor the tone and emphasis to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A substantial portion of

Replaces "great" with "substantial", suggesting a considerable amount, and is a more formal synonym.

A significant part of

Uses "significant part" to emphasize the importance or impact of the portion, slightly altering the focus.

A considerable amount of

Shifts from "portion" to "amount", suitable for uncountable nouns; less about division and more about quantity.

A large segment of

Replaces "portion" with "segment", implying a distinct section or group within a whole.

A sizable fraction of

Uses "fraction" to denote a part of a whole, often used in more technical or mathematical contexts.

A considerable fraction of

Similar to "a sizable fraction of", but uses "considerable" to emphasize the largeness of the fraction.

A majority of

Indicates more than half, focusing on dominance rather than just a large quantity.

A good deal of

Less formal, suitable for general contexts where precision is not crucial.

A generous amount of

Uses "generous" to suggest abundance or liberality in the quantity, which adds a sense of evaluation.

An important element of

Focuses on the importance of the element rather than the quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "a great portion of" in a sentence?

Use "a great portion of" to indicate that a significant part of something is being referred to. For example, "A great portion of the funding was allocated to research."

What are some alternatives to "a great portion of"?

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

Is it better to use "a large part of" or "a great portion of"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "a great portion of" can sound slightly more formal. The best choice depends on the overall tone and style of your writing. "A large part of" is often considered more direct and simpler.

When should I avoid using "a great portion of"?

Avoid using "a great portion of" when you need to be precise. In scientific, financial, or technical writing, specific percentages or numerical values are more appropriate. Use alternatives like "majority" or provide exact figures.