a modest fraction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest fraction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or limited portion of something, often in a quantitative context. Example: "The study found that a modest fraction of participants reported experiencing side effects from the medication."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are believed to have genetic and environmental origins, yet in only a modest fraction of individuals can specific causes be identified1,2.

Harvard University

The Ahdab oil field represents only a modest fraction of Iraq's oil wealth — the field is expected to produce 90,000 barrels of oil a day.

The New York Times

The cost of redoing these piers would be about $70 million, a modest fraction of the $1.2 billion provided earlier by Washington to help revive the city.

The New York Times

Even a modest fraction of Google's more than 132 million users constitutes a massive test bed and focus group for evaluating the potential of new products.

Harvard Business Review

The kidney is responsible for the bulk of potassium excretion but a modest fraction of ingested potassium may be excreted by secretion in the colon.

Genetic Diseases of the Kidney

Why would you be willing to work so hard and take so much risk for only a modest fraction of ownership?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

In the large eukaryotic DNAs, protein coding sequences occupy a rather modest fraction (a few percent or lower), whereas significantly bigger parts of these genomes appear to be transcribed.

Biology Direct

The employees own virtually 100 percent of the company (there are a few advisers who are also shareholders and I myself own only a fairly modest fraction of it).

The New York Times

This indicates that most HPV infections are subclinical and only a small fraction of HR-HPV infections produce early epithelial lesions, and a more modest fraction of those lesions will develop into cancer.

BMC Systems Biology

Although these duplicates constituted a relatively modest fraction of the conserved syntenic homologs (14.5%, Fig. 3a; 18.2%, Fig. 3b; not counting redundant copies), we interpret these as strong evidence that large-scale (whole-genome) duplication has had a major role in shaping gnathostome genome architecture.

Nature

The top universities are good at doing that for a relatively modest fraction of the population.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a modest fraction", ensure the context clearly establishes the whole to which the fraction relates. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a modest fraction" when referring to something substantial. The term suggests a small or limited portion; using it for anything significant can mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest fraction" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It quantifies a part of a whole, indicating that the portion is small or limited. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across multiple contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a modest fraction" is a versatile noun phrase used to denote a small or limited portion of a whole. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and commonly used across various domains, including science, news, and academia. It serves the purpose of quantifying something as a small part of something larger, often to downplay its significance. While the phrase is suitable for neutral to formal registers, it should be used judiciously to ensure accurate representation of scale. Consider using alternatives like "a small portion" or "a limited amount" to tailor your message for clarity. By understanding its nuances and adhering to best practices, you can effectively incorporate "a modest fraction" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small portion

Emphasizes the limited size of the part being considered.

a limited amount

Focuses on the restricted quantity or extent.

a small segment

Highlights that the part is a section or piece of something.

a negligible part

Suggests the part is so small it's practically insignificant.

a tiny percentage

Quantifies the part as a very small portion of 100.

a minor share

Implies the part is a small allocation or allotment.

a reduced quantity

Focuses on the diminished amount compared to what could be.

a trace element

Used to denote very small or undetectable quantities.

a scattering of

Suggests only a few instances or occurrences.

a handful of

Indicates the quantity can be held in a hand, implying small size.

FAQs

How can I use "a modest fraction" in a sentence?

You can use "a modest fraction" to describe a small portion of something, such as "a modest fraction of the population" or "a modest fraction of the budget".

What phrases are similar to "a modest fraction"?

Similar phrases include "a small portion", "a limited amount", or "a tiny percentage". The best choice depends on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a modest fraction"?

Yes, "a modest fraction" is grammatically correct and widely used. It's considered standard English and can be found in various types of writing.

What is the difference between "a modest fraction" and "a significant portion"?

"A modest fraction" indicates a small or limited amount, while "a significant portion" suggests a substantial or noteworthy amount. The key difference lies in the scale and importance of the portion being described.