a large fraction of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a large fraction of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a significant portion or percentage of a whole in various contexts, such as statistics, research, or general observations. Example: "A large fraction of the participants reported feeling satisfied with the program."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"A large fraction of the Japanese population eats it every day for breakfast".

The New York Times

But Brown still proposes to devote a large fraction of national income to public purposes.

The Guardian

At different times, a large fraction of the warheads either obviously or potentially would not work".

The New York Times - Books

"By 1981, we knew a large fraction of the strategic intelligence, the big questions".

The New York Times

Of course, a large fraction of my life has now past.

The Guardian - Music

A large fraction of those deaths must be blamed on Stalin.

The New Yorker

But why would ISIS throw away a large fraction of its fighting force there?

The New Yorker

Well, you might say, but farmers don't buy a large fraction of farm output, whereas homeowners buy a large fraction of overall US output.

The New York Times

In the case of V 391 Pegasi, that explosion sent a large fraction of the star's mass flying outward.

The New York Times - Science

A large fraction of this land is in windy coastland areas suitable for the development of wind energy.

The Guardian

A large fraction of the carbon dioxide emitted in burning fossil fuels stays in the air many centuries.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a large fraction of", ensure the context clearly defines the whole being referred to. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the magnitude being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "a large fraction of" without specifying what the fraction relates to. Without context, the phrase becomes vague and loses its impact. Be precise about what constitutes the whole.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a large fraction of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a significant portion or share of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a large fraction of" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to denote a substantial portion of a whole. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. As demonstrated by the examples, it appears frequently in science and news media, indicating its broad applicability. When employing this phrase, clarity is crucial: always ensure the context makes clear what the fraction relates to. For alternatives, consider "a significant portion of" or "a considerable part of" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant portion of

This alternative uses "significant portion" to emphasize the importance or size of the part being referred to, rather than just its fractional value.

a considerable part of

Replacing "large fraction" with "considerable part" highlights that the portion is noteworthy or substantial.

a substantial segment of

Using "substantial segment" suggests the portion is a distinct and meaningful division of the whole.

a sizable amount of

Switching to "sizable amount" emphasizes the quantity rather than the proportional aspect.

a good proportion of

This alternative is less formal than the original phrase and carries a slightly more subjective tone.

a major share of

Substituting "large fraction" with "major share" highlights that the portion is dominant or controlling.

the greater part of

This phrase suggests that the portion is more than half of the whole, emphasizing its dominance.

a hefty chunk of

Using "hefty chunk" is informal and conveys that the portion is large and potentially impactful.

a notable percentage of

This is a more statistically focused way to express the same idea, highlighting the numerical aspect.

a dominant portion of

Replacing "large fraction" with "dominant portion" highlights that the portion is influential in the context.

FAQs

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

Use "a large fraction of" to indicate that a considerable portion of a whole is being discussed. For example: "A large fraction of the students passed the exam".

What are some alternatives to "a large fraction of"?

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

Is it better to use "a large fraction of" or "a large percentage of"?

Both phrases are correct, but "a large percentage of" is more precise when you have numerical data. "A large fraction of" is suitable when a general sense of proportion is intended.

What's the difference between "a large fraction of" and "most of"?

"A large fraction of" suggests a considerable, but not necessarily majority, portion. "Most of" implies a quantity greater than half, often signifying the majority.