a portion of them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a portion of them' is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to only a part of a group of people, animals, or things. For example, "The basketball team had thirteen players, but only a portion of them were able to compete in the tournament."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He writes letters to the admissions office for a portion of them, advocating their selection.

The New York Times

But then it's a thrill to have 5,600 people - or a portion of them - laughing.

The Guardian

You can spend an hour picking a portion of them out of their shells and still be hungry.

The New York Times - Food

Every time Freddie draws on taxpayer funds, it needs to use a portion of them to pay taxpayers their dividend.

The New York Times

Finally, Congress should rescind the Bush tax cuts for the rich and channel a portion of them to middle-income and poorer workers.

The New York Times

Although his monthly wages were meagre, he sent a portion of them home to his ailing parents, who lived like paupers in their drought-stricken village.

The New Yorker

"What we did instead was save a portion of them, and put a panel inside the room of the original bricks".

The New York Times

"Any pastor will tell you, you can have 100 in your congregation and only a portion of them will be happy at any one time.

The Guardian

But there are some 3,500 colleges and universities in the United States alone, and distance education will certainly make a portion of them redundant.

The New York Times

The question was whether they could be made to pay all of the cleanup costs or just a portion of them.

The New York Times

About 5,000 buildings in Yonkers are 75 years or older, but only a portion of them are actually historical properties, and about a dozen each year are slated for demolition, Mr. Lesnick said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a portion of them" when you want to emphasize that you are talking about a specific, but not necessarily precisely defined, subset of a larger group. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While phrases like "a segment of them" or "portions thereof" can sound sophisticated, using them too frequently can make your writing stiff. In most everyday contexts, "some of them" or "part of them" are perfectly adequate and clearer.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a portion of them" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically a partitive construction. It identifies a subset within a larger group previously mentioned. According to Ludwig, this phrase is acceptable in written English. Its function is to specify that only some, not all, members of the group are being discussed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a portion of them" is a versatile phrase used to denote a part of a group, fitting comfortably in many writing contexts. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, the expression is perfectly acceptable and frequently encountered in reputable sources. While synonyms such as "some of them" or "part of them" may offer simpler alternatives, understanding the nuances of "a portion of them" enables more precise communication. While overuse of more formal alternatives should be avoided, this phrase is a valuable asset in a writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some of them

More concise and common alternative. Has similar meaning and can be used interchangeably in most contexts.

part of them

Slightly less formal and emphasizes the fraction of the group being referred to.

a segment of them

More formal and technical, suitable for specific contexts like data analysis or reporting.

a fraction of them

Similar to 'part of them', but suggests a smaller or more precisely calculated amount.

a percentage of them

Quantifies the group, suitable when exact proportions are important.

certain ones of them

Highlights select items within the group and adds a degree of specificity.

several of them

Indicates a small to moderate number within the group.

a number of them

More vague and less precise, indicating an unspecified quantity within the group.

a selection of them

Implies a deliberate choice or filtering of certain items from the group.

portions thereof

More formal and legalistic, used when referring back to something already defined.

FAQs

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

You can use "a portion of them" when referring to a subset of a larger group. For example, "The company offered training to all employees, but "a portion of them" chose not to attend."

What's the difference between "a portion of them" and "some of them"?

While both phrases refer to a part of a group, "a portion of them" can sometimes imply a more carefully considered or significant part, whereas "some of them" is more general.

Is "a portion of them" formal or informal?

"A portion of them" sits in a neutral to slightly formal register. It's appropriate for most writing contexts, but alternatives like "part of them" or "some of them" might be preferable in very informal settings.

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

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "some of them", "part of them", "several of them", or "a number of them". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.