a minor subset of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minor subset of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small or less significant portion of a larger group or category. Example: "The research focused on a minor subset of the population that exhibited unique behavioral traits."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

We find that only a minor subset of predicted enhancers is required for NEK6 expression.

Cell Reports

Prior research on the host interactions of mosquitoes has centered around a minor subset of mosquito species, particularly the Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex pathogen vectors.

Nature

Vγ9Vδ2 T cells are a minor subset of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood that has been extensively investigated for their tolerability, safety and anticancer efficacy.

Cytotherapy

When many of these women moved to teaching, white-collar crime was still largely considered to be a minor subset of criminal law.

The New York Times

Flow cytometry displayed that all oBM-MSCs lacked expression of CD31, CD34, CD45, HLA-DR whereas they expressed CD44, CD58, HLAI and a minor subset of the cell population (12%) exhibited CD90.

Annals of Anatomy - Anatomischer Anzeiger

Concussion, according to Goldstein, is "a minor subset of all hits". The vast majority are subconcussive, which the Concussion Legacy Foundation says are below the concussion threshold: "the brain is shaken, but not so violently that the damage to brain cells is severe". Those are the ones to worry about, especially in young people.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Collectively, our findings show that NHEJ represents the major DSB-repair pathway in G2, with HR only being essential for the repair of a minor subset (∼15%) of IR-induced DSBs.

EMBO Journal

Because CD4+CD25high Treg represent a minor subset (<2%) of the peripheral CD4+ T cells in humans [16], [17], their in vitro expansion from peripheral blood for clinical use represents a challenge.

Plosone

Thus, though methods like Northern blots [ 38], RNase protection assays [ 39], RT-PCRs [ 40], and RACE PCRs [ 41] all suggest interesting patterns of repeat expression in human tissues and cells, they thus far have focused on a very minor subset of elements (often, those competent for transposition).

BMC Genomics

First, quality control is usually thought to involve broad "surveillance" of many potential clients, with commitment for degradation of only a minor subset.

Cell

As discussed above, if the majority of archaeal genomes analyzed encode an MptD homologue, a minor subset does not.

ACS Chemical Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a minor subset of", ensure the context clearly defines the larger group from which the subset is drawn to provide clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a minor subset of" when the subset is actually substantial or important within the given context. Using it inappropriately can diminish the real impact or relevance of the subset being discussed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minor subset of" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, specifying that only a small portion of the group or category represented by that noun is being considered. Ludwig AI confirms its consistent grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

87%

News & Media

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a minor subset of" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe a small portion of a larger group or category. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness. It is most commonly found in scientific and academic writing, where precision is crucial. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines the larger group from which the subset is derived and avoid using it to describe subsets that are actually substantial. Alternative phrases, such as "a small portion of" or "a limited segment of", can be used to convey a similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minority of

Replaces "subset" with "minority", focusing on the concept of a smaller group within a larger population.

a small portion of

Replaces "subset" with "portion", emphasizing the quantity rather than the specific grouping.

a limited segment of

Substitutes "subset" with "segment", highlighting a specific part within a larger whole.

a fraction of

Uses "fraction" instead of "subset", focusing on the proportional aspect of the quantity.

a small number of

Replaces the phrase with a more direct numerical descriptor.

a handful of

Provides a more colloquial and less precise way to indicate a small quantity.

only some of

Emphasizes that not all members of the larger group are included.

a negligible part of

Highlights the insignificance of the quantity in relation to the whole.

a select few of

Emphasizes the particular selection from a larger group.

a restricted amount of

Highlights a limited or controlled quantity.

FAQs

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

Use "a minor subset of" to indicate a small portion of a larger group. For example, "A minor subset of the participants showed significant improvement".

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

You can use alternatives like "a small portion of", "a limited segment of", or "a fraction of depending on the context".

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

Yes, "a minor subset of" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in scientific or academic contexts where precise language is valued.

How does "a minor subset of" differ from "a majority of"?

"A minor subset of" indicates a small, less significant part, while "a majority of" indicates the larger, more significant part of a group. They represent opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of quantity.