a minuscule portion of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minuscule portion of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very small part or amount of something in a formal or informal context. Example: "The research revealed that a minuscule portion of the population was affected by the rare disease."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

At approximately $150 million a year, that budget is already a minuscule portion of federal expenditures.

The Washington Post

"The students are such a minuscule portion of this program".

The New York Times

Tourism accounts for a minuscule portion of the national economy.

The Guardian

A minuscule portion of the money from Hardest-Hit has gone to help homeowners.

The Guardian - Money

Fingerling potatoes and a minuscule portion of sautéed baby spinach completed the plate.

The New York Times

Only a minuscule portion of it was used," Mr. Catania said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

The materials comprise an almost minuscule portion of the collection; only one folder, but I love primary source documents and I love figuring out their relationship to the history they are involved in.

Columbia University

Still, though India's auto parts exports are growing robustly, they account for just a minuscule portion -- less than 0.1percentt -- of the $1 trillion world auto parts industry.

The New York Times

Its passage in the dark or dim-lit stall was as if time were being carried by a procession of ants, a gleaming red martial column of those militaristic red Southern ants that build hideous tall boiling hills; and each vile gleaming ant wanted a minuscule little portion of Poor Tony's flesh in compensation as it helped bear time forward down the corridor of true Withdrawal.

The New Yorker

Still, as Cuomo's fellow Italian-American Tony Soprano would put it, "whaddya gonna do?" It is what it is, this gruelling, filthy old business of gaining power – and what it is today is about cynically and clinically micro-targeting messages at that minuscule portion of the electorate whom those seeking their support see fit to treat much as Dr Pavlov treated his dogs.

Independent

Whether he succeeds in salvaging self-government depends in great part on what some minuscule portion of 312,000,000 Americans believe and do over the next several months and whether a plurality comes to their senses.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "minuscule" with synonyms like "tiny" or "negligible" for stylistic variation, depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Common error

Avoid using "a minuscule portion of" when the actual portion is significant, even if it appears small relative to an exceptionally large whole. Ensure accuracy in representing proportions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minuscule portion of" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that the noun represents a very small amount or share of something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a minuscule portion of" is a useful phrase for indicating a very small amount or share, suitable for various contexts, as Ludwig AI's analysis shows. While grammatically sound and commonly used, writers should be mindful of the overall tone and choose synonyms like "a tiny fraction of" or "a negligible amount of" for stylistic variation or greater formality. Accuracy in representing proportions is key to avoid misinterpretations. Understanding the nuances and potential alternatives ensures effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tiny fraction of

Replaces 'minuscule' with 'tiny' and 'portion' with 'fraction', emphasizing the smallness of the amount.

a negligible amount of

Focuses on the insignificance of the amount, implying it's so small it can be disregarded.

an insignificant quantity of

Highlights that the quantity is not worth considering due to its small size.

a trace amount of

Suggests the presence of something is barely detectable.

a mere sliver of

Uses a visual metaphor to indicate a thin, small part.

a scant amount of

Emphasizes that the amount is barely sufficient or adequate.

a microscopic part of

Similar to "minuscule" but using the adjective "microscopic" for emphasis.

a nominal share of

Implies the share is so small it's practically symbolic.

a drop in the bucket of

Uses an idiomatic expression to illustrate how small the portion is compared to the whole.

an infinitesimal bit of

Emphasizes the extremely small nature of the portion using 'infinitesimal'.

FAQs

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

Use "a minuscule portion of" to describe a very small amount or share of something. For example: "A minuscule portion of the budget was allocated to marketing."

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

You can use alternatives like "a tiny fraction of", "a negligible amount of", or "an insignificant quantity of" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a minuscule portion of" or "a small portion of"?

"A minuscule portion of" emphasizes a smaller amount compared to just "a small portion of". The choice depends on how much you want to emphasize the smallness. "Minuscule" indicates something is exceptionally small.

Can "a minuscule portion of" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "a minuscule portion of" is suitable for formal writing, but ensure it fits the overall tone. More formal synonyms like "a negligible amount of" might be preferred in certain contexts.