a portion of something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a portion of something" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a part or segment of a larger whole. Example: "She donated a portion of her earnings to charity." Alternative expressions include "a part of" and "a segment of."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Then we were forced to disclose calorie and fat content, so you could fret about whether eating a portion of something that contained 150percentt of the recommended saturated fat intake was wise.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Without going out of my way to cut down on fats and sugar, I discovered that by making my food more savoury, I automatically found I was eating less: a smaller portion of something tasty left me feeling fuller for longer.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I want to be able to eat a satisfying portion of something without it sending me to the moon.

Huffington Post

For Scott though, doing so -- especially with his backcourt -- would be relinquishing a portion of Bryant's responsibilities, something he's clearly not willing to do.

Huffington Post

Students might be asked to tap on a portion of the map to identify something.

TechCrunch

A portion of Forté's song — titled "Brooklyn: Something to Lean On" — is played before every game as part of the Nets' elaborate player introductions, which are an N.B.A. version of controlled chaos.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's not unheard for a spot to be changed after launch, but it's usually after a portion of the public takes offense to something in it," said Mark DiMassimo, chief creative officer for DiGo, a New York-based advertising agency.

The New York Times - Sports

BP will surely become embroiled in this legal mess, and its reputation may suffer.The deal with BP legitimises the Kremlin's carve-up of Yukos, and converts a portion of its ill-gotten gains into something liquid and secure BP shares.

The Economist

The idea of selectively rolling out features to a portion of an app's users is something larger companies like Facebook and Twitter do all the time.

TechCrunch

In terms of business, Zola operates much like an e-commerce site would — they get a portion of the price of the item (something like 20percentt give or take, we're told).

TechCrunch

I mean, with all those "no hookup" profiles clearly there's a portion of people out there using Tinder for something other than sex.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing quantities or measurements, use "a portion of something" to indicate a specific, though not necessarily precisely defined, amount. For instance, "a portion of the budget" was allocated to research.

Common error

While "a portion of something" is generally correct, overuse in formal writing can make the text sound repetitive. Try replacing it with stronger, more specific synonyms like "segment", "share", or "percentage" to enhance clarity and vary your writing style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a portion of something" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a portion of something" is a grammatically sound way to denote a part or share of a larger entity. Ludwig AI indicates it is acceptable and usable in various contexts, though its frequency is rare. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to use more precise synonyms in formal or scientific contexts. Replace it with alternatives like "part of something" or "share of something" for greater clarity and impact. Be mindful of overusing it, and consider stronger alternatives when possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

part of something

Emphasizes the concept of being an element or component of something else.

segment of something

Suggests a clearly defined section or division of something.

piece of something

Implies a fragment or detached part of something.

share of something

Highlights the idea of receiving or owning a specific part of something.

fraction of something

Focuses on the numerical representation of a part in relation to the whole.

percentage of something

Specifically refers to a part expressed in terms of hundredths.

amount of something

Highlights the measure or quantity of a particular element.

element of something

Emphasizes that it is a basic component of something more complex.

component of something

Indicates that it is an integral part of a larger system or structure.

sample of something

Refers to a small selection that represents the whole.

FAQs

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

You can use "a portion of something" to refer to a part or share of a larger whole. For example, "a portion of the profits" or "a portion of the population".

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

Alternatives include phrases like "part of something", "segment of something", or "share of something", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "a portion of something" and "a part of something"?

While similar, "a portion of something" often implies a quantifiable amount or serving, whereas "a part of something" can refer to a more abstract or integral component.

When is it best to use "a portion of something" instead of "some of something"?

"A portion of something" is suitable when referring to a specific quantity or allocation. "Some of something" is more general and can indicate an unspecified amount.