a portion of the sample

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a portion of the sample' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when you are referring to a sample size that is only a part of the whole. For example: We took a portion of the sample and analyzed the results.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The electric discharge vaporizes a portion of the sample and excites the elements in the sample to emit characteristic spectra.

Encyclopedia Britannica

NOTE: Comparisons are non-experimental since they were calculated over a portion of the sample.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

A portion of the sample is masked during deposition, and the thickness is given by the height of the step.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The inspection is carried out on a portion of the sample units within that particular section i.e., 20 ± 8 slabs for rigid pavements, and 5,000 ± 2,000 square feet for flexible [22].

European Transport Research Review

Exposing the samples to a magnetic field for a total of 15 minutes made the iron-bound cells migrate together, allowing the scientists to extract a portion of the sample in which the cancer cell concentration had been boosted approximately 10,000-fold.

Science Magazine

Evil Dee and Walt take a portion of the sample and craft it into a different loop.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

A portion of the samples was regenerated.

Catalysis Today

Moreover, a portion of the samples that had been oxidised at 150 V were held at a temperature of 500 °C.

Electrochimica Acta

For quality control purposes, a portion of the samples were selected at random and spiked with standards to assess reaction efficiencies.

Chemistry Central Journal

A portion of the samples with M IRM values less than 1 × 10−11 Am2 showed a LTD memory of IRM that was larger than 100%%, which was due to measurement errors.

Earth, Planets and Space

In a portion of the samples, the concentration of labile Zn2+ increased after the addition of Cu II), indicating the presence of strongly-bound Zn II) species such as ZnS clusters and nanoparticles.

Geochemical Transactions

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing experimental procedures, clarify the precise method used to obtain "a portion of the sample" to ensure reproducibility.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a portion of the sample" perfectly represents the entire sample without proper validation. Address any potential biases introduced by the selection process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a portion of the sample" functions as a noun phrase that acts as a subject or object within a sentence. It designates a specific, but not necessarily quantified, amount taken from a larger sample, as Ludwig examples show.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

95%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a portion of the sample" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable expression denoting a part of a larger sample. Predominantly employed in scientific and academic contexts as Ludwig examples show, it serves to specify that only a subset of the complete sample is under consideration. Alternatives such as "part of the sample" or "segment of the sample" can be used depending on the desired level of formality and precision. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is accurate and suitable for use in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

part of the sample

Replaces "portion" with the more common synonym "part", making the phrase slightly less formal.

a segment of the sample

Substitutes "portion" with "segment", implying a distinct and identifiable part of the sample.

a fraction of the sample

Replaces "portion" with "fraction", suggesting a numerical or proportional part of the sample.

a piece of the sample

Uses "piece" instead of "portion", indicating a smaller, often physically separable, part of the sample.

some of the sample

Offers a simpler, less precise alternative, suitable for less formal contexts.

a subset of the sample

Replaces "portion" with "subset", emphasizing that the part is a defined group within the larger sample, often used in statistical or mathematical contexts.

a section of the sample

Substitutes "portion" with "section", implying a distinct, often spatially defined, part of the sample.

a quantity of the sample

Emphasizes the amount taken from the sample, replacing "portion" with "quantity".

a component of the sample

Replaces "portion" with "component", indicating that the part is essential or integral to the whole sample.

a representative sample

Implies that the part accurately reflects the whole, adding a specific characteristic not present in the original phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "a portion of the sample" in a sentence?

You can use "a portion of the sample" to indicate that you are dealing with only a part of the whole sample, as in, "A portion of the sample was analyzed for contaminants".

What are some alternatives to saying "a portion of the sample"?

Alternatives include "part of the sample", "some of the sample", or "a segment of the sample", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is there a difference between "a portion of the sample" and "part of the sample"?

While largely interchangeable, "a portion of the sample" may imply a more carefully measured or representative part, whereas "part of the sample" is a more general term.

When is it appropriate to use "a portion of the sample" instead of "the entire sample"?

Use "a portion of the sample" when you are only using a subset of the original sample for analysis, testing, or experimentation due to limitations in resources, methodology, or the destructive nature of the process.