a portion of its

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a portion of its" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a part or segment of something belonging to a subject, often in contexts involving analysis or description. Example: "The report highlighted a portion of its findings that were particularly significant to the study."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If it does not, it loses a portion of its aid.

The New York Times

In 2016, it sold a portion of its business, BilltoMobile, to Bango for $3.5 million.

TechCrunch

Midtown Comics in Manhattan said it would donate a portion of its net September proceeds to the Red Cross.

The New York Times

It then recovers a portion of its cash outlay by selling some land to other builders and developers.

Forbes

Since then, it has directed a portion of its revenues toward a range of fellow progressive groups.

Huffington Post

The company also said it would spin off a portion of its Canadian operations.

The New York Times

It then promptly sold a portion of its stake to the public again, realizing billions of dollars in gains.

The New York Times

A portion of its 800-acre campus, called "the Circle," was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.

The New York Times

The book itself says that "a portion" of its profits will go to a literacy charity.

The New York Times

But replicating even a portion of its success has proved no easy task.

The Guardian

An attractive garden pleases passers-by, but they cannot be charged a portion of its cost.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a portion of its" when you want to indicate that you are referring to a specific part or segment of something, without necessarily specifying the exact amount or percentage.

Common error

Avoid using "a portion of its" when you need to be precise about the quantity. In cases where the exact amount or percentage is known, it is more accurate to use specific numbers or fractions instead of this general phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a portion of its" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adjectival modifier to describe a part or share of something. It specifies that only some, not all, of the referenced entity is being considered, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a portion of its" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to denote a part or segment of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal register. When precision is key, consider using more specific numerical quantities or fractions. While "a portion of its" effectively conveys the idea of a part, choosing the right alternative ensures clarity and appropriateness for any given context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

part of it

Replaces "portion" with the simpler word "part", maintaining the core meaning of a segment of something.

some of its

Uses the indefinite pronoun "some" to indicate an unspecified amount, similar to "a portion".

a fraction of it

Emphasizes that the part is a numerical fraction of the whole.

a segment of its

Substitutes "portion" with "segment", implying a distinct section or division.

a share of its

Replaces portion with the more economic-related "share", implying an ownership

a percentage of it

Highlights that the part can be expressed as a numerical percentage.

a slice of it

Replaces the word portion with a more informal option "slice"

a piece of its

Uses the word "piece" in place of "portion", giving the idea of a single component.

a measure of its

Replaces portion with measure which is a more generic option.

an element of its

Substitutes "portion" with "element", emphasizing one of the constituent parts.

FAQs

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

The phrase "a portion of its" is used to indicate a part or segment of something. For example, "The company will donate "a portion of its" profits to charity this year."

What are some alternatives to "a portion of its"?

Alternatives include "part of it", "some of its", or "a segment of its". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "a portion of its" or "part of it"?

"A portion of its" generally sounds more formal than "part of it". The choice depends on the intended audience and the overall tone of the writing.

Can "a portion of its" be used to describe abstract concepts?

Yes, "a portion of its" can be used to describe abstract concepts as well as physical objects. For instance, you can say ""a portion of its" success is due to hard work".