a lower portion of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lower portion of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a specific part or section that is situated lower than another part in a physical or abstract context. Example: "The artist focused on a lower portion of the canvas to create a sense of depth in the painting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

They commit even a lower portion of all serious crime.

The Guardian - Opinion

The study found that these grasshoppers prefer a lower portion of nitrogen, or protein, than any other species studied, challenging the existing belief that insect herbivores are limited by the amount of protein found in plants.

The New York Times

Bagwell may well reach Cooperstown; recent inductees like Andre Dawson, Bert Blyleven, Goose Gossage and Jim Rice all received a lower portion of the vote than Bagwell in their second year on the ballot.

The New York Times - Sports

"Harvard M.B.A.'s have a very high earning potential," said Dave Girouard, the founder of Upstart and a former Google executive, "and that means they can raise more money for a lower portion of income".

The New York Times

The main part of a wood tar composition, which is similar to that of asphalt, is dehydroabietic acid with a lower portion of pyrolytic products [2].

Heritage Science

A lower portion of the sewage sludge is deposited onto landfills directly or after incineration which equals approximately 30% of total emitted TiO2 NP.

Environmental Sciences Europe

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

A decreased N content can be explained by a lowered portion of active biomass owing to intracellular storage of polysaccharides (details in [10,11]).

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Behind the position of the nasals (which are missing in the only known skull) is an interlacrymal depression, a lowered portion of the skull; the suture (connection) between the two frontal bones is incompletely closed there.

Wikipedia

AOL Time Warner generates about a quarter of its revenue from advertising, a lower portion than many of its peers, but the company remains vulnerable.

The New York Times

However, a significantly lower portion of infants in the treated group had an HBsAg titer >5 cut-off index (normal value: <1], compared to those in the untreated group (16.7% [95% CI: 12.61-20.79] vs. 43.4%[955% CI: 38.22-48.58]; P < 0.05).

Hepatology

Still, only about half of the nation's work force today is in unions, the official said, and a much lower portion of workers in private and foreign companies.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing hierarchical systems or structures, use "a lower portion of" to accurately indicate a subordinate or foundational element within the whole.

Common error

Avoid using "lesser portion" when you mean "a lower portion". "Lesser" refers to importance or quality, while "lower" refers to physical or hierarchical position.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lower portion of" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun. It identifies a specific part of something that is situated below another part, either physically or hierarchically. Ludwig examples illustrate its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a lower portion of" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a part of something that is situated below another part, whether physically or hierarchically. As shown by Ludwig, it's versatile, appearing in science, news, and general contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that "lower" is appropriate for describing position rather than importance, and consider alternatives like "a smaller section of" or "the bottom part of" depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey. It's important to keep in mind the function of the sentence you are building as the article explains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a smaller section of

Replaces 'portion' with 'section', implying a division or segment that is less in size.

a reduced segment of

Uses 'reduced' to emphasize a decrease in size or amount and replaces 'portion' with 'segment'.

a bottom fraction of

Focuses on the 'bottom' aspect and uses 'fraction' to indicate a part of a whole.

a decreased share of

Highlights the reduction aspect and uses 'share' to refer to a proportional amount.

a minor segment of

Emphasizes the smallness using 'minor' and replaces 'portion' with 'segment'.

a subordinate piece of

Indicates a part that is lower in rank or importance, using 'subordinate'.

a nether division of

Uses 'nether' to denote the lower regions, providing a more archaic or literary tone.

a ground level piece of

Specifically refers to something at ground level, giving a physical context.

a basal component of

Uses 'basal' to denote a foundation or base, implying essential but lower part.

a basic ingredient of

Suggests an elemental part, especially in contexts where other alternatives might not fit as well.

FAQs

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

The phrase "a lower portion of" is used to describe a section or part that is physically or hierarchically beneath something else. For instance, "The fire originated in "a lower portion of the building"".

What's a good alternative to "a lower portion of"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "a smaller section of", "the bottom part of", or "a reduced segment of".

Is it correct to say "a lesser portion of" instead of "a lower portion of"?

While both phrases indicate a smaller amount, "lower" usually refers to physical or hierarchical position, while "lesser" refers to importance or quality. Therefore, using "lower" is more appropriate when describing a section that is beneath something else.

In what contexts is "a lower portion of" most commonly used?

The phrase is frequently used in scientific and technical writing to describe components or regions within a system. It is also common in news and media when describing locations or hierarchical structures.