a minor portion of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minor portion of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small part or segment of something larger, often in contexts involving analysis or description. Example: "The report indicates that a minor portion of the budget was allocated to marketing efforts."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"At best, it deals with a minor portion of Manhattan.

The New York Times

If, instead, we design for better decision making, then we improve a minor portion of organizational life that occurs too late to make much difference.

Harvard Business Review

The Kalina cycle is responsible for a minor portion of total exergy destruction, thus more investment should be put on solar collectors.

Energy Conversion and Management

In addition, in the microporous ZSM-5 system occurrence of Fe4+ oxidation state is hypothesized and reversible Fe4+ ↔ Fe3+ transformation is presumed for a minor portion of iron.

Catalysis Today

Nitrate and nitrite accounted for a minor portion of the decomposed ammonia (<5% for Ru/AC and <3% for Pt/AC).

Catalysis Today

For example, most of propofol's depressant effect (> 70%%) was reversed with a GABA antagonist, but only a minor portion of isoflurane's depression was reversed (< 20%%).

Stanford University

In addition, it has been reported that in O (Of and Oh) horizons with substantial quantities of soil minerals, microbially retained 137Cs contributes to only a minor portion of the total 137Cs in spruce and beech stands in Germany19.

Nature

The MALT is covered by a follicle-associated epithelium, comprising epithelium cells, lymphoid cells and a minor portion of microfold/membraneous (M) cells (Fig. 1).

Protein & Cell

Although the tilted- and side-view particles (42,000 particles) only contribute to a minor portion of the total particles, they are essential in determining correct reconstruction.

Protein & Cell

Both the soil-compost mixture and the fertilized soil revealed several potential pyrene degrader genera which together accounted for only a minor portion of the total samples' community.

AMB Express

Secondly, the home charging subsidy is a minor portion of the overall vehicle price (around 2% of a c.€40,000 purchase).

European Transport Research Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Enhance clarity by quantifying "a minor portion of" with specific percentages or numerical values whenever possible. This provides a more concrete understanding of the amount being described and allows readers to assess the amount more objectively.

Common error

Avoid implying that "a minor portion of" something is inherently unimportant. While it signifies a small quantity, its impact or relevance can still be significant depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minor portion of" functions as a quantifier, specifically indicating a small or insignificant amount of something in relation to a larger whole. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in diverse contexts, from scientific analyses to news reports.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

22%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a minor portion of" is a versatile phrase used to denote a small quantity or segment of a larger whole. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and appropriate across various contexts, including science, news, and business. While it's essential to quantify the portion for clarity and avoid implying insignificance, this phrase remains a valuable tool for precise communication. Consider its related phrases to provide variety in one's writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A small fraction of

This alternative uses "fraction" to emphasize the smallness of the quantity.

A limited amount of

This alternative focuses on the restricted quantity or extent.

A negligible quantity of

This phrase stresses the insignificance of the amount.

A mere handful of

This alternative provides a more visual and emphatic sense of smallness.

Only a fraction of

This alternative uses "fraction" to highlight the smallness relative to the whole.

A modest quantity of

This phrase indicates a limited and unassuming amount.

A tiny amount of

This emphasizes the extremely small size of the portion.

An insignificant part of

This highlights that the portion is not important or impactful.

A trace amount of

This suggests the quantity is barely detectable.

A reduced portion of

Suggests that something was once bigger, but now is smaller.

FAQs

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

You can use "a minor portion of" to indicate that only a small part of something is being considered. For example, "A minor portion of the budget was allocated to marketing."

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

You can use alternatives like "a small fraction of", "a limited amount of", or "a negligible quantity of depending on the context.

Is it always negative to describe something as "a minor portion of"?

Not necessarily. While it indicates a small amount, whether it's negative depends on the context. Sometimes, "a minor portion of" something being affected is a positive outcome.

What's the difference between "a minor portion of" and "a majority of"?

"A minor portion of" indicates a small quantity or percentage, while "a majority of" refers to more than half of the total. They are direct opposites in terms of quantity.