a limited fraction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a limited fraction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small part or portion of a whole, often in contexts involving statistics, mathematics, or discussions about resources. Example: "Only a limited fraction of the population participated in the survey, which may affect the results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

A series of challenges stand in the way of completing this task but, at the most basic level, progress is limited by data: a limited fraction of the world's biodiversity has been incorporated into a phylogenetic analysis.

BMC Biology

A limitation in utilizing restriction endonucleases is that enzymes identify only a limited fraction of genome CpG sites [ 81, 82].

BMC Systems Biology

Current consensus is that differences in physical capital only account for a limited fraction of differences in GDP.

SERIEs

The high strength at elevated temperature could be attributed to synergetic strengthening refinement of the LPSO via kinking and a limited fraction of dynamical recrystallization.

Acta Materialia

Even then, however, the works that had been published represented only a limited fraction of the total body of papers that had been left in the hands of Catherine and John Conduitt.

SEP

"A challenger has to bear the costs," says Harvard Law professor Lucian A. Bebchuk, "but would be able to capture only a limited fraction of the benefits produced for shareholders".

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Werner et al. [ 31] concluded that the consumption of a relatively limited fraction of the available resources was a means of feeding efficiency, i.e. nitrogen rich food for reproductive investment.

BMC Ecology

Those toiling away in the areas (complex mortgage securitization, complex credit derivatives) that uniquely sank the economy accounted for but a very limited fraction of the total number of staff.

Huffington Post

We did not encounter major opposition in the acceptance of the experimental procedure by health care workers, patients, or caregivers, and only a very limited fraction of them (3.6%) declined participation.

Plosone

While accurate, expert rules are applicable only to a very limited fraction of examples.

Bioinformatics and Biology Insights

Our open-ocean modeling results show that NA emissions sources comprise a relatively limited fraction of seawater total Hg over the next 40 years.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a limited fraction", consider the context to ensure that the degree of limitation is clear to the reader. For example, specify "a limited fraction of the budget" rather than just "a limited fraction."

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a limited fraction" always implies an insignificant amount. The significance depends on the context; "a limited fraction of nuclear waste" can still represent a substantial danger.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a limited fraction" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that only a small portion or share of something is being referred to. This is supported by Ludwig, as it's frequently used across various contexts to quantify a restricted amount of something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a limited fraction" serves to denote a small or restricted portion of a whole, functioning as a determiner phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, particularly in science and news, with a neutral to formal tone. When using the phrase, be mindful of the context to ensure clarity about the degree of limitation. Consider alternatives such as "a small portion" or "a restricted amount" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small portion

Changes the noun from "fraction" to "portion", emphasizing the part-whole relationship.

a tiny segment

Replaces "fraction" with "segment" and "limited" with "tiny", intensifying the smallness.

a restricted amount

Substitutes "fraction" with "amount", focusing on quantity, and "limited" with "restricted".

a minimal quantity

Emphasizes the scarcity of the amount using "minimal" instead of "limited".

a reduced proportion

Uses "proportion" instead of "fraction", indicating a comparative relationship to the whole, and "reduced" for "limited".

a scarce share

Replaces "fraction" with "share", implying a division or allocation, and "limited" with "scarce".

a negligible part

Focuses on the insignificance of the portion using "negligible" instead of "limited".

a select few

Shifts the focus to the limited number of items or individuals, using "select" to imply chosen or exclusive.

a handful

Uses a more colloquial term to denote a small quantity, emphasizing the ease with which it can be contained.

only some

Simplifies the phrase to its most basic meaning, indicating that not all are included.

FAQs

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

Use "a limited fraction" to indicate that only a small portion of something is being considered or utilized. For example, "Only a limited fraction of the survey respondents answered all the questions".

What are some alternatives to "a limited fraction"?

You can use alternatives like "a small portion", "a tiny segment", or "a restricted amount" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "a limited fraction" or "a small fraction"?

Both "a limited fraction" and "a small fraction" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "Limited" suggests a constraint or restriction, while "small" simply indicates size.

In what contexts is "a limited fraction" most commonly used?

"A limited fraction" is commonly used in scientific, academic, and news contexts to describe a small portion or share of a larger whole. For example, in scientific research, it might refer to "a limited fraction of the sample".