a minute portion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minute portion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very small or insignificant part of something. Example: "The recipe calls for a minute portion of salt to enhance the flavor without overpowering the dish."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"A cell," she wrote, "is a minute portion of living substance".

The New York Times - Arts

Yes, those shoppers represent a minute portion of the population, but their devotion has helped build the brand.

The New York Times

Additionally, the microFLOQ® system subsamples only a minute portion of a stain and preserves the vast majority of the sample for subsequent testing or re-analysis, if desired.

Forensic Science International: Genetics

Mark DeHaan, senior vice president for National Heritage Academies, said creationism would occupy a "minute" portion of the time spent on evolution.

The New York Times

He appears in a minute portion of two stereoscopic photographs that were meant to be looked at in a special 3-D viewer.

The New York Times

Although P.& G. would not comment on its relationship with Redox or the specifics of the deal, it said in a prepared statement that Oxydol, which represented a minute portion of company sales, "no longer provided a strategic fit".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Why do people in Trinidad live in an amazing warm climate yet eat blueberries and raspberries imported from California? Agriculture is a shockingly minute portion of the economy.

Huffington Post

"The money I spent on Sparkles the Clown is a very, very minute portion of the forfeited money that I spend in fighting the war on drugs," he told The Post.

The Washington Post

The whole story is worth reading, and it includes a defensive Ohio police chief who told the paper, "The money I spent on Sparkles the Clown is a very, very minute portion of the forfeited money that I spend in fighting the war on drugs".

Vice

Then, using all available resources and equipment, groups should outline and prepare to present a minimum of a three to five minute portion of their media campaign (such as a commercial or skit) that addresses the following topics to their target audience (written on the board for easier student access): –What is the historical significance of Mount Vesuvius?

The New York Times

With solid samples, spectrometric methods are used in which the test portion is that minute portion of a solid sampled by a spark, arc, or glow discharge to create a sample plasma.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a minute portion", ensure the context clearly establishes what the portion is part of. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a minute portion" when describing something that is simply small but still significant. Reserve it for situations where the quantity is truly negligible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minute portion" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. According to Ludwig AI, it describes a very small or insignificant part of something. The examples show it quantifying amounts in scientific, business and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a minute portion" is a phrase used to describe a very small or insignificant part of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and applicability across contexts like science and news. While the phrase appears mostly in news and scientific contexts, writers should be mindful of situations where the scale is misunderstood, and the quantity is more significant than suggested by the phrase. Related phrases like "a tiny fraction" or "a small amount" can serve as alternatives. Remember to consider context when choosing a fitting term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tiny fraction

Replaces "minute portion" with "tiny fraction", emphasizing the smallness of the part.

a small amount

Uses more general terms to indicate a reduced quantity or extent.

an insignificant part

Highlights the lack of importance or impact of the portion.

a negligible quantity

Indicates that the amount is so small it can be disregarded.

a mere sliver

Suggests a thin, narrow piece, implying minimal size.

a trace amount

Focuses on the extremely small quantity, almost undetectable.

a scant quantity

Emphasizes the insufficiency or barely adequate nature of the amount.

a microscopic bit

Uses "microscopic" to illustrate extreme smallness.

an infinitesimal fragment

Indicates the portion is incredibly small, approaching zero.

a nominal share

Highlights that the share is so small it's practically nothing.

FAQs

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

You can use "a minute portion" to describe a very small or insignificant part of something. For instance, "Only "a minute portion" of the budget was allocated to marketing".

What are some alternatives to saying "a minute portion"?

Alternatives include "a tiny fraction", "a small amount", or "an insignificant part" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "a minute portion" or "a small part"?

"A minute portion" implies an extremely small and often negligible amount, whereas "a small part" simply indicates that something is not large. The best choice depends on the degree of smallness you wish to convey.

Can "a minute portion" be used to describe time?

While "minute" relates to time, "a minute portion" is typically used to describe a small amount of a substance or quantity, not usually a duration of time. To describe a short time, you could say "a brief moment" or "a short time".