a portion of fish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a portion of fish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific amount or serving of fish, often in the context of food or meals. Example: "For dinner, I ordered a portion of fish with a side of vegetables."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Place a portion of fish on potatoes.

The New York Times - Food

That's a lot for a portion of fish.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

3. To serve, put a portion of fish along with a bit of the onion and jalapeno in a warm tortilla.

The New York Times - Food

Make it with less liquid and you can put it on the plate under a portion of fish, for example, or serve it on top as a sauce.

The New York Times - Food

A man was put right off his supper after discovering a tongue-eating parasite in a portion of fish he had bought from Morrisons.

Independent

Whitstable Beach is just a ten-minute bus ride away (you HAVE to get a portion of fish and chips from the Seven Seas Fish Bar!) and a high-speed train can get you to London in under an hour.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Thus, for example, a portion of the fish catches made on a minor fishing expedition by coastal residents would be passed inland to residents at central villages, who might return dry taro for the fish.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Fish sold commercially is subject to monitoring by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; but FDA samples only a portion of the fish sold commercially to ensure that it meets standards.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Ten eggs, some meat fat and a portion of oily fish sounds like a recipe for an upset stomach.

Independent

Other requirements include serving children a portion of meat, fish, eggs, or beans and one or more portion of vegetables or salad every day.

Independent

Crisp but delicate little "petals" of dried tapenade, or olive paste, can be used for snacking, dipping and artfully garnishing a slice of tomato, a disk of fresh goat cheese atop a salad, a portion of poached fish, scrambled or poached eggs, or a risotto.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing recipes or menu descriptions, use "a portion of fish" to clearly indicate the serving size of fish in a dish. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity for readers or customers.

Common error

Avoid using "a portion of fish" metaphorically in contexts unrelated to food or measurement. Sticking to literal uses maintains clarity and avoids forced analogies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a portion of fish" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying a specific quantity or serving of fish. Ludwig confirms its proper usage, often in culinary or nutritional contexts. Examples show it used in recipes, menu descriptions, and discussions of dietary intake.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

29%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a portion of fish" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that specifies an amount or serving of fish. Ludwig's AI validates this, showing its common application in contexts ranging from culinary arts and nutrition to general news and scientific discussions. While the phrase is generally versatile, avoid using it in non-literal, metaphorical contexts to maintain clarity. Alternatives include "a serving of fish" or "a piece of fish", each carrying slightly different connotations. Its usage is neutral in register, making it suitable for various writing styles. You can feel confident that "a portion of fish" is widely understood and correctly used when describing a measured amount of fish.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a serving of fish

Replaces "portion" with "serving", a direct synonym in the context of food.

fish portion

A more concise version of the original phrase, used especially in food industry contexts.

a piece of fish

Uses "piece" to denote a part of fish, implying a cut or slice.

a helping of fish

Emphasizes the act of serving a quantity of fish.

a cut of fish

Suggests a specific cut from the fish, like a fillet or steak.

a quantity of fish

Replaces "portion" with "quantity", a more general term for amount.

a fillet of fish

Specifies a fillet, a boneless cut of fish.

a ration of fish

Implies a controlled or allocated amount of fish, often in a limited supply scenario.

a share of fish

Indicates a division or allotment of fish among multiple recipients.

some fish

A less specific, more general term for an unspecified amount of fish.

FAQs

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

You can use "a portion of fish" in sentences like: "I ordered "a portion of fish" for dinner" or "The recipe calls for "a portion of fish" per person".

What is another way to say "a portion of fish"?

Alternatives to "a portion of fish" include "a serving of fish", "a piece of fish", or "a cut of fish", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a portion of fishes"?

No, it is generally incorrect. Use "a portion of fish". "Fishes" refers to different species of fish, not multiple servings of the same fish.

What determines the appropriate size for "a portion of fish"?

The appropriate size for "a portion of fish" depends on factors like the type of fish, the meal's overall composition, and dietary needs. Nutritional guidelines often suggest a serving size of around 3-4 ounces.