a ration of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a ration of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific portion or amount of something, often in the context of food or resources. Example: "During the emergency, each family was given a ration of food to ensure everyone had enough to eat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

During the first two days, ARVN soldiers distributed a ration of rice in the camp.

The New Yorker

The government provides the camps free electricity, water and a ration of wheat.

The New York Times

Food was a ration of bread once a day, sometimes supplemented by thin gruel.

The New Yorker

(At the very least, households should be entitled to a ration of essential goods at controlled prices).

The Economist

The vast majority of those organic chickens are fed a ration of corn and soy beans that is supplemented with a synthetic version of methionine.

The Washington Post

The food, a ration of 300 grams of cereal a person a day, is less than half of a survival ration.

The New York Times

But the provision of a bowl of soup or a ration of canned fish is not all that food banks can provide.

The Guardian - Opinion

contends that the minimum standard estab lished by the American Psy chiatric Association is a ration of one doctor to every 150 pa tients.

The New York Times

A resident of a homeless shelter, for example, may have an entitlement consisting of exactly one bundle: a tray of food and a ration of clothes.

Britannica

So the reader must be prepared for a ration of belligerence and a world in which the odds are always stacked 6 to 5 against.

The New York Times - Books

Nevertheless, Grandpa would have shared Chairman Mao's love of beef-and-potato stew, if only we had had a ration of beef.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a ration of" when you want to emphasize a limited or controlled amount of something, especially in situations where resources are scarce or carefully distributed.

Common error

Avoid using "a ration of" when simply describing a typical amount or portion. Opt for alternatives like "a portion of" or "a serving of" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a ration of" functions primarily as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to specify a limited or allocated amount. It indicates a specific quantity, often in the context of distribution or scarcity, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Academia

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a ration of" is a phrase used to describe a fixed or limited amount of something, often in situations involving distribution or scarcity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly found in diverse contexts, especially News & Media, Science and Formal & Business. While alternatives like "a portion of" or "an allotment of" may be suitable in some cases, "a ration of" specifically emphasizes the controlled nature of the quantity. When choosing the phrase, consider whether you want to highlight the limitation or allocation of a resource, and ensure it fits the context of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a portion of

Emphasizes a part or share of a whole, differing slightly in formality.

an allotment of

Suggests a predetermined or officially assigned quantity.

a share of

Highlights the concept of equal distribution among multiple recipients.

a measure of

Implies a specific quantity or amount, often used in scientific or technical contexts.

a quota of

Indicates a maximum or minimum limit set for a particular item.

an allowance of

Suggests a permitted or authorized quantity, typically on a regular basis.

a supply of

Focuses on the availability of something for use or consumption.

a quantity of

Is a general term referring to an amount, can be used in both formal and informal context.

a dosage of

Specifies an amount of medicine or treatment given or taken at one time.

a helping of

Refers specifically to food served in a meal, often a single portion.

FAQs

How to use "a ration of" in a sentence?

You can use "a ration of" to describe a fixed or limited amount of something. For example: "Each family received "a ration of" rice during the food shortage."

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

You can use alternatives like "a portion of", "an allotment of", or "a share of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a ration of" or "a ratio of"?

"A ration of" refers to a specific quantity or amount, while "a ratio of" describes the quantitative relation between two amounts showing the number of times one value contains or is contained within the other. They have completely different meanings and usages.

What's the difference between "a ration of" and "a serving of"?

"A ration of" often implies a limited or controlled quantity, usually in times of scarcity or when resources are managed carefully. "A serving of" refers to a standard or typical amount of food.