a minimal proportion of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minimal proportion of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a small percentage or amount of something in a specific context, often in academic or analytical writing. Example: "The study found that a minimal proportion of participants reported experiencing side effects from the medication."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Suppose that the aim is to employ a minimal proportion of τ Red workers in each firm.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

However, the results of this study are assumed to be reliable because of the detailed analysis of all fatal road accidents that occurred in Finland over a period of 3 years and the fact that only a minimal proportion of cases had insufficient data.

European Transport Research Review

Moreover, in EnvBF immunized mice in which cross-reactivity is displayed, we could find at least a minimal proportion of cells (2,8%) producing the three cytokines simultaneously.

Plosone

To further elucidate the biological and molecular functions targeted by expression responses, we analyzed associations between GO biological processes and DE genes in transgenic and tumor cells and constructed network clusters, which connected signaling molecules in pathways with a minimal proportion of differentially expressed components.

Plosone

Because of the short follow-up time, this happened in a minimal proportion of cases (0.1%).

BMJ Open

In particular, most cerebellar streamlines are ipsilateral compared to the SCP seed, while a minimal proportion of streamlines cross over to the contralateral side.

Brain Structure and Function

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Development of the control website was assumed to take a minimal proportion (5%) of overall costs.

Plosone

However, the cost of medication in the latter study was a minimal proportion (0.3%) of the cost of treatment in the three months following the manic episode.

BMC Psychiatry

In particular, this result applies to cooperative Boolean networks with a fixed minimal proportion of binary AND or binary OR regulatory functions.

Advances in Difference Equations

The captures result in the image like depicted in the bottom row of Fig. 2. The area A also defines the minimal proportion of pixels located at a deeper level than the ground, since it represents the projection of the first descending step.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

The methodology is based on pairwise genetic distances between accessions that compose a thematic collection for a trait of interest, in order to select a core collection which will meet the following standard requirements: the maintenance of a pre-defined minimal proportion of alleles of the total collection, and a sample size that facilitates its practical usage by breeding programs.

BMC Plant Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a minimal proportion of", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the proportion is relative to. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "minimal" when you mean "minimum". "Minimal" describes something that is the least possible or negligible, whereas "minimum" refers to a specific lower limit or requirement. For instance, use "a minimal proportion of errors" to mean very few errors, but "the minimum proportion required" to specify a lower threshold.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minimal proportion of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a small or negligible quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and can be used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

85%

News & Media

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a minimal proportion of" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a very small quantity or percentage. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While most frequently found in scientific contexts, it also appears in news media and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the context makes it clear what the proportion is relative to. Alternatives include "a small percentage of" or "a negligible amount of". Be careful not to confuse "minimal" with "minimum", as they have different meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a negligible amount of

This alternative focuses on the insignificance of the amount, emphasizing that it's so small it can be ignored.

a tiny fraction of

This alternative uses the word "fraction" to specify the portion and "tiny" to emphasis the smallness.

a scant quantity of

This alternative uses "scant" to emphasize the inadequacy of the quantity.

a small percentage of

This alternative provides a more direct and common way to express a small amount in terms of percentage.

an insignificant number of

This alternative is very similar, but emphasizes the "number" of something being small and unimportant.

a trifling amount of

This alternative uses "trifling" to suggest the amount is so small it's not worth considering.

a derisory quantity of

This alternative, using "derisory", conveys that the quantity is so small it's almost laughable.

a reduced percentage of

This alternative focuses on the fact that the percentage is not only small, but also reduced.

a decreased fraction of

The alternative focuses on the decrease in fraction compared to previous amount.

a limited quantity of

This alternative focuses on the constrained and restricted volume, emphasizing scarcity.

FAQs

What does "a minimal proportion of" mean?

The phrase "a minimal proportion of" refers to a very small amount or percentage of something, indicating that it is present but not significant.

How can I use "a minimal proportion of" in a sentence?

You can use "a minimal proportion of" to describe a quantity that is present but very small. For example, "A minimal proportion of the students failed the exam."

What are some alternatives to "a minimal proportion of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a small percentage of", "a negligible amount of", or "a tiny fraction of", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "minimal" or "minimum" proportion?

"Minimal" and "minimum" have different meanings. "Minimal proportion" refers to a very small amount, while "minimum proportion" refers to the smallest acceptable or required amount. The best choice depends on the intended meaning.