a portion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a portion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a part or segment of something, often in contexts involving food, resources, or abstract concepts. Example: "She served a generous portion of pasta to each guest at the dinner party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tiramisu is $7 a portion.

The New York Times

Tiramisù is $7 a portion.

The New York Times - Food

(See a portion of the strip below).

The New Yorker

How many chops make a portion?

The New York Times - Food

Describes a portion of the performance.

The New Yorker

Covers a portion of Amsterdam.

Stanford University

Place a portion of fish on potatoes.

The New York Times - Food

She called repeatedly, requesting a portion.

The New York Times - Books

Each holds a portion of it.

The New York Times

Well how many in a portion?

The New York Times

A portion of the samples was regenerated.

Catalysis Today

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a portion" to refer to a part of something, especially when emphasizing that it is a limited or specific amount. For instance, "A portion of the funds will be allocated to marketing."

Common error

Avoid using "a portion" when "some" or "part" would suffice. Using "a portion" in contexts where simpler terms are more appropriate can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a portion" typically functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI explains, it refers to a part or segment of something. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a portion" is grammatically correct and serves to denote a part or share of something, according to Ludwig AI. While it is suitable for neutral to formal contexts like news, academic papers, and business communications, it's advisable to avoid overuse in simple contexts where "some" or "part" would suffice. With primary usage in News & Media, Science and Academia, top authoritative sources, such as The New York Times, frequently employ this phrase. Overall, "a portion" is a reliable phrase to specify a particular amount or share, but mindful application enhances clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

part of

Focuses on something less defined than a quantity.

segment of

Implies a clearly divided section of something.

piece of

Highlights the detachment of some fragment.

fraction of

Expresses that the item is a mathematical denomination.

share of

Conveys the item as part of a fair distribution.

percentage of

Emphasizes numerical proportion relative to one hundred.

some of

Implies an indefinite quantity, rather imprecise.

element of

Conveys the item as one of many components in a wider compound.

amount of

Refers to an unspecified quantity of something.

quantity of

Highlights measurability and numerality.

FAQs

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

Use "a portion" to indicate a part or share of something, as in, "A portion of the pie was saved for later" or "A portion of the budget will be used for research."

What's a less formal alternative to "a portion"?

For less formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "part of", "some of", or "piece of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a portion of" always followed by "of"?

Yes, "a portion" requires the preposition "of" to connect it to the larger whole it's referring to. For example, you would say "a portion of the profits" not "a portion the profits".

How does "a portion" differ from "a segment"?

"A portion" generally refers to an amount or share, while "a segment" suggests a clearly divided section or part. Use "a segment" when referring to something that's distinctly separated or demarcated.