a miniscule portion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a miniscule portion" is not correct; the correct spelling is "a minuscule portion." You can use it to describe a very small part or amount of something in both formal and informal contexts.
Example: "The report only covered a minuscule portion of the overall data collected during the study."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

It is crucial to note that the analyses reported here reflect only a first pass at this massive data set, examining a miniscule portion of the space of possible analyses.

Nature

In 2005, Mr. Santorum did vote with the majority of the Senate in favor of a transportation bill that included the "Bridge to Nowhere," though the money for the bridge (roughly $225 million) was a miniscule portion of the overall bill, which was nearly $300 billion.

The New York Times

The current $65 billion international voice market will be a miniscule portion of telecom traffic.

Forbes

Yet Microsoft can afford to open up search even more so than Yahoo because it makes up such a miniscule portion of its current revenues.

TechCrunch

Records show that at the height of the Greek and Roman empires, only a miniscule portion of the population lived in cities with more than 10,000 people.

Forbes

Frustratingly, though, these are available to a miniscule portion of our population.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

With an estimated global market size of less than $100 billion today--a miniscule portion of total global managed assets--impact investing has a long way to go before it becomes mainstream.

HuffPost

But the cuts are only a small portion of the overall $3.6 trillion U.S. annual budget, and a miniscule component of the vast U.S. economy.

Huffington Post

Mercedes and VW have a miniscule share of the world's third-largest truck market.

The New York Times

"Of that, we only store a miniscule percentage for a limited period of time.

BBC

That is such a miniscule part compared to the total desert area in the world.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, prioritize using the correctly spelled form, "minuscule portion", especially in formal or academic writing. Ensure that your audience can easily understand your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid the common misspelling of "minuscule" as "miniscule". While the misspelling might be understood, using the correct spelling enhances credibility and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase, though often misspelled, functions as a quantifier or adjective phrase modifying a noun. It specifies that the noun it describes is present in a very small quantity. Ludwig AI's analysis points out the spelling error and provides examples of usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a miniscule portion" is a phrase used to describe a very small quantity or share of something. However, it's essential to note, as Ludwig AI indicates, that the correct spelling is "minuscule". The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. While the misspelling might be understood, using the correctly spelled form enhances your writing's credibility. Alternative phrases like "a tiny fraction" or "a small segment" can be used for variety. Therefore, remember the proper spelling to effectively communicate the intended smallness or insignificance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tiny fraction

Emphasizes the extremely small size of the portion relative to the whole.

a small segment

Highlights that the portion is a part of a larger whole, implying a division.

a negligible amount

Focuses on the insignificance of the quantity.

a minute quantity

Emphasizes the smallness of the quantity.

an insignificant portion

Highlights that the portion's impact or value is very low.

a mere sliver

Implies a very thin or narrow piece of something.

a trivial bit

Emphasizes the lack of importance of the portion.

a microscopic part

Highlights how incredibly small and difficult to see the part is.

an almost imperceptible piece

Focuses on how the portion is so small that it's barely noticeable.

a vanishingly small component

Emphasizes the extremely reduced size and the nature of being part of a composite.

FAQs

What does "a miniscule portion" mean?

The phrase "a miniscule portion" (more correctly spelled "minuscule portion") describes a very small or tiny amount of something. It emphasizes the insignificance or smallness of the quantity being discussed.

Which is correct, "a miniscule portion" or "a minuscule portion"?

The correct spelling is "a minuscule portion". While "a miniscule portion" is sometimes used, it's a misspelling. The word you're looking for is "a minuscule portion".

What can I say instead of "a miniscule portion"?

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

How can I use "a miniscule portion" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "Only a miniscule portion of the budget was allocated to research." Remember to spell it correctly as "minuscule".