a minor segment of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minor segment of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a small part or portion of a larger whole, often in discussions or analyses. Example: "In the report, we will focus on a minor segment of the overall data to illustrate our point."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

No one expects videoconferencing to replace more than a minor segment of business travel, though the size of that segment may be growing faster than I had thought.

The New York Times

Yet animation was only a minor segment of the computer division at Lucasfilm; a more sizable chunk was devoted to hardware — actual computers, including the Pixar Imaging Computer, an unlovely gray block that might, it was hoped, be of use in medical research.

The New Yorker

A minor segment of children with high liking and wanting for the apple juice perceived as most sour was obvious.

Food Quality and Preference

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

These incongruities were seen as minor segments of miscalled genotypes and discordant localization of recombination breakpoints.

BMC Genomics

Nevertheless, minor segments of similarity are also observed within their N-terminal half, previously implicated in binding to eIF3i [ 60].

BMC Genomics

The tree inferred for the minor segment (Figure 4A) supports a small degree of phylogenetic incongruence, but not indicative of homologous recombination of the given parental sequences, or any other sequences in this tree.

Plosone

At around the onset of head condensation, these two anterior Delta stripes resolve into a pair of major stripes coincident with the engrailed stripes of the intercalary and first maxillary segments, and a minor stripe of the intervening mandibular segment.

BMC Biology

The Internet can seem like a place without adult supervision, but in a space where minors are a growing segment of the online audience, companies are subject to a complex landscape of laws, regulations, and codes of conduct attempting to protect young users.

TechCrunch

We named the minor segments according to the patterns of the sections immediately following EPIYA (Table 2).

Plosone

The very idea of the tubular stem cell hypothesis is at odds with a long history of studies that examined tubule cells by ultrastructural and molecular methods, and never reported a minor population of 'different' cells in tubular segments.

Biochemical Journal

A minor but still important segment of the explosives industry is the production of detonating agents, or such priming compositions as lead azide [Pb(N3 2], silver azide (AgN3), and mercury fulminate [Hg(ONC 2].

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a minor segment of", ensure that the context clearly establishes the larger whole to which the segment belongs. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a minor segment of" when the segment you're describing actually holds significant weight or influence within the larger context. Choose a more appropriate descriptor to accurately reflect its importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minor segment of" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a small and often less significant part of a larger whole. As Ludwig shows, it's used to specify the size and importance of a subset.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a minor segment of" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a small, often less important part of a larger whole. Ludwig AI indicates its appropriateness in written English for specifying the size and importance of a subset. While generally neutral in tone, its formality can vary based on context. Consider related alternatives like "a small portion of" for similar meanings. Ensure the larger whole is clearly defined when using the phrase to avoid ambiguity, and avoid overstating the segment's importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small portion of

Emphasizes the size of the part being referred to, using "portion" instead of "segment".

a limited part of

Highlights the restricted nature of the element within the whole.

a fractional piece of

Uses "fractional" to specify that the segment is only a small fraction of the whole.

a negligible fraction of

Stresses how insignificant the piece is, adding a layer of unimportance.

a trivial section of

Similar to 'negligible' but uses 'trivial' to underscore the segment's lack of importance.

a subsidiary division of

Emphasizes that the segment is part of a structured whole, acting as a subdivision.

a peripheral component of

Indicates that the segment is on the edge or not central to the whole.

a subordinate element of

Highlights that the segment is under the authority or control of something larger.

an insignificant sliver of

Uses "sliver" to describe the segment as a thin, narrow piece, and emphasizes its unimportance with "insignificant".

a reduced sliver of

Uses "reduced" to describe a lesser part.

FAQs

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

Use "a minor segment of" to describe a small or less important portion of a larger whole. For example, "A minor segment of the population prefers classical music".

What's the difference between "a small part of" and "a minor segment of"?

"A small part of" is a more general term, while "a minor segment of" implies that the part is not only small but also less significant or important in the overall context.

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

You can use alternatives like "a small portion of", "a limited part of", or "a fractional piece of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "a minor segment of" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a minor segment of" might sound less formal than alternatives like "a limited portion of". Consider your audience and the desired tone when making your choice.