a little fraction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little fraction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small part or portion of something, often in a mathematical or figurative context. Example: "Only a little fraction of the total budget was allocated for marketing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"It's all relative and for Madame Bettencourt it is just a little fraction".

The New York Times

For animation, it's terrible because these objects are all moving a little fraction.

The New York Times

Only a little fraction of the adsorbed gas contributes to gas production in the late-stage.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

Today, though, a little fraction of that has been cancelled, even though everybody's gaze is still tilting down toward one glowing hand.

The New Yorker

In our cobalt-doped samples, a cobalt proportional ferromagnetic strength was observed due to different electronic configurations of cobalt and agglomeration of a little fraction of cobalt atoms (as revealed by XRD) which prevents anti-ferromagnetic coupling.

International Nano Letters

"There is a little fraction of Russian society that called itself maybe European: Russians that created basically everything that Russia can be proud of - starting from Tolstoy, Tchaikovsky, Chekhov, Dostoevsky - and which had incredible influence on Western culture because Russia is a very talented and powerful country.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The results revealed that only a very little fraction of biochar was respired whereas a high proportion of corncob was decomposed.

Geoderma

Still it will be a very little fraction".

The New York Times - Science

"To play just a tiny little fraction, to see people coming together and wanting you to do well has been a huge honour.

Independent

Sure, well, the way I feel about pop music is the way I feel about music in general, which is that there's a slice of it which excites me intensely, carries me on and makes life worth living, and a tiny, tiny little fraction that I don't really like, and then a big chunk in the middle that I'm fairly ambivalent about: It's meh, it's kind of background and it doesn't affect me in any way.

Huffington Post

In response to a fine question from Doocy, Trump told "Fox & Friends" that Cohen's work for him represented just a "tiny, tiny little fraction" of "my overall legal work".* In verily the same breath, the president said that Cohen helped out on the "crazy Stormy Daniels deal". Maybe Trump's lawyers would have preferred that the president kept quiet on such a matter.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a little fraction" to emphasize the smallness and relative insignificance of a quantity in comparison to a larger whole.

Common error

Avoid using "a little fraction" when the actual quantity, though small, is still significant in its specific context. Ensure the adjective "little" aligns with the impact of the fraction being described.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little fraction" functions as a noun phrase that serves as a subject complement or object within a sentence. It modifies an unspecified number or amount, describing the ratio or proportion to another quantity. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a little fraction" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a small part or proportion of a whole. Ludwig's analysis indicates its usage spans across various contexts, particularly in science and news media, with a neutral to formal tone. Though semantically similar phrases exist, such as "a small portion" or "a tiny bit", "a little fraction" emphasizes both the fractional nature and the diminutive size of the amount in question. Remember to use it in contexts where the smallness of the fraction is relevant and accurately reflects the information you're trying to convey. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and real-world usability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small proportion

Replaces "fraction" with "proportion", implying a comparative relationship to a whole.

a tiny percentage

Substitutes "fraction" with "percentage", focusing on the numerical aspect of the small quantity.

a negligible amount

Replaces the entire phrase with an expression that emphasizes the insignificance of the quantity.

a limited portion

Uses "portion" instead of "fraction", highlighting the idea of a part that's been deliberately restricted.

a slight quantity

Emphasizes the smallness of the amount using "slight" instead of "little."

a reduced segment

Suggests a small piece or part that has been diminished.

a fractional segment

Inverts the order, emphasizing the "fraction" as a qualifier of the segment.

a diminutive share

Employs "diminutive" and "share" to highlight the minimal nature of the part.

a trace amount

Indicates an extremely small and often barely detectable quantity.

a soupçon

A French loanword implying a very small amount, often used in culinary or figurative contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "a little fraction" to describe a small portion of something, as in, "Only a little fraction of the work was completed".

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

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

Which is correct, "a little fraction" or "a small fraction"?

Both "a little fraction" and "a small fraction" are grammatically correct. "A small fraction" is more common and widely used, while "a little fraction" is also acceptable and emphasizes the diminutive size.

When should I use "a little fraction" instead of "a small amount"?

"A little fraction" is appropriate when referring to a portion of a whole, especially in mathematical or figurative senses. "A small amount" is more general and can apply to non-fractional contexts.