a portions of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a portions of" is not correct in written English.
The correct form would be "a portion of" or "portions of" depending on the context. Example: "We will be serving a portion of the dessert to each guest."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Residents can then use a portions of their elective time to delve further into research activities.

Cornell University

Cf. 29 U. S. C. §1144(a) (portions of ERISA "supersede any and all State laws insofar as they may now or hereafter relate to any employee benefit plan").

Cornell University

What Wander does not know is that the colossi contain a portions of Dormin's own essence that was scattered long ago to render the entity powerless.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Describes a portion of the performance.

The New Yorker

Covers a portion of Amsterdam.

Stanford University

Place a portion of fish on potatoes.

The New York Times - Food

National Century gets a portion of each transaction.

The New York Times

Enlarging a portion of a hole.

Harvard University

A portion of the sellout crowd booed.

The Washington Post

A portion of Joby's FAA application.

The Guardian - Tech

A portion of it is, anyway.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to refer to a non-specific quantity that is part of a whole, use the correct grammatical structure: either "a portion of" for a singular portion or "portions of" for multiple portions.

Common error

Avoid using "a portions of" as it incorrectly combines a singular article ("a") with a plural noun ("portions"). Always ensure agreement between articles and nouns in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a portions of" is intended to function as a determiner phrase, specifying a part of something. However, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies the correct form as "a portion of". The correct form, when applicable, introduces a noun that represents a part or share of a whole.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Academia

33%

Wiki

33%

News & Media

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a portions of" is grammatically incorrect. The correct forms are "a portion of" for a single part, or "portions of" for multiple parts. Ludwig's analysis reveals that while the intention is to indicate a part or share, the incorrect grammar undermines its effectiveness, especially in formal contexts. Instead, consider using alternatives such as "some of", "parts of", or "a segment of" to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy. The most authoritative sources rarely use this phrase, further indicating its unsuitability for polished writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a portion of

Corrects the grammatical error, using the singular "portion" to match the indefinite article "a".

parts of

Replaces "a portions of" with the plural form "parts of", indicating multiple segments or pieces.

some of

Uses "some of" to denote an unspecified amount or number of something.

a segment of

Substitutes "portions" with "segment", referring to a specific section or division.

a share of

Employs "share" to imply a specific allocation or allotment.

a piece of

Uses "piece" to denote a fragment or component of something.

elements of

Replaces "portions" with "elements", referring to components or aspects.

fragments of

Uses "fragments" to suggest smaller, broken pieces of something larger.

a fraction of

Substitutes "portions" with "fraction", indicating a small part or percentage.

aspects of

Employs "aspects" to refer to different features or perspectives of something.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "a portions of"?

The correct way to express the idea is to say "a portion of" if you are referring to a single part, or "portions of" if you are referring to multiple parts.

Can I use "a portions of" in formal writing?

No, "a portions of" is grammatically incorrect and should not be used in formal writing. Use "a portion of" or "portions of" instead.

What can I say instead of "a portions of"?

You can use alternatives like "some of", "parts of", or "a segment of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a portions of" or "a portion of"?

"a portion of" is the correct grammatical form. "A portions of" is incorrect because it mismatches the singular article "a" with the plural noun "portions".