a scant fraction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a scant fraction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very small or minimal part of something, often in a quantitative context. Example: "Only a scant fraction of the budget was allocated for marketing efforts this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

If Tesla winds up with a half-million of its cars on the road in the next three years, for example, that would be a scant fraction of the country's more than 260 million motor vehicles.

The New York Times

Despite its fame, as Clive Coates points out in "The Wines of Burgundy," the ravages of phylloxera, two world wars and severe midcentury frosts reduced Chablis in the 1950s to a scant fraction of its 19th-century production.

The New York Times - Food

Despite the growing appeal of the Tesla Models S and X, and excitement about a coming 200-mile-range Chevy Bolt, plug-in electric vehicles still account for a scant fraction of U.S. auto sales.

Los Angeles Times

It was a scant fraction of the once-sprawling sanctuary, but enough to accommodate the animals' homecoming, enough to kindle the Williamses' hope that Wildhaven can rise again from the scorched soil.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

For instance, along the Focus dimension, about 2/3 of the fragments discuss Science, about 1/3 discuss Methodology, a small fraction have a Generic topic and a scant few are tagged with a combination (MS, SG).

Bioinformatics

(It has a scant soundtrack).

The New York Times

Democrats can point to a scant few.

The New York Times

Stitch, using a scant 1/4 " seam allowance.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The process lasted a scant nine minutes.

The New York Times

A scant three or four hands went up.

The New York Times

Zero to 60 acceleration requires a scant 5.4 seconds.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a scant fraction", ensure the context clearly establishes what the fraction is in relation to, to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of just saying "a scant fraction of the budget", specify "a scant fraction of the total annual budget".

Common error

Avoid using "a scant fraction" when the actual portion is more substantial. This phrase implies a minimal, almost negligible amount, so using it to describe something larger can be misleading and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a scant fraction" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun. It indicates a small quantity or portion of something, emphasizing its limited nature. As Ludwig shows, this phrase is commonly used to downplay the significance of the amount being described.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a scant fraction" is a phrase used to denote a very small or minimal portion of something. As Ludwig explains, it is grammatically correct and is primarily used in news media and scientific writing to downplay the significance of a quantity. While its frequency is relatively rare, using this phrase effectively conveys the idea of a barely sufficient amount, but be mindful to avoid using it if a subject is of a more substantial amount or doing so would be misleading.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tiny amount

Focuses on the extremely small quantity, emphasizing the insignificance of the amount.

a negligible portion

Highlights the lack of importance or impact due to the small size.

a minimal part

Emphasizes the small contribution to the whole.

a small segment

Implies the existence of a larger whole, of which this is a small part.

a mere sliver

Uses figurative language to describe the smallness, implying thinness and delicacy.

a trifling quantity

Indicates a small amount considered insignificant or unimportant.

an insignificant number

Highlights the lack of numerical significance.

a microscopic trace

Emphasizes the extremely small and barely detectable nature of the quantity.

a shadow of

It implies something is far less substantial than what it represents.

a drop in the ocean

Emphasizes the insignificance of the amount when compared to something much larger.

FAQs

How can I use "a scant fraction" in a sentence?

You can use "a scant fraction" to indicate that something constitutes a very small or minimal part of a whole. For example, "A scant fraction of the population attended the meeting".

What are some alternatives to saying "a scant fraction"?

Alternatives include "a tiny amount", "a negligible portion", or "a minimal part". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "a scant fraction" or "a small fraction"?

"A scant fraction" implies an even smaller quantity than "a small fraction". Use "a scant fraction" when emphasizing the minimal nature of the amount in question.

What does "scant" emphasize in the phrase "a scant fraction"?

The word "scant" emphasizes the meagerness or insufficiency of the fraction. It suggests that the amount is not only small but also barely adequate or almost lacking.