a section of the population

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a section of the population" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific group or subset within a larger population, often in discussions related to demographics, statistics, or social issues. Example: "A section of the population is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

"Mumsnet represented a section of the population that had been neglected," said our panel.

The Guardian

He has won the ear of a section of the population that practically no other public figure has.

The Guardian - Opinion

He identified a section of the population who aspired chiefly to greater material gain.

Independent

The resistance, it must be emphasized, came from only a section of the population.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And if you want to take a section of the population and see where is the anxiety — it is them.

The Washington Post

It sometimes seems that there's now a section of the population, often the middle classes, with increasingly specialist food knowledge – and then everyone else, who shops at Iceland.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

But to effect, in a rather calculated way, to whip up a campaign against a whole section of the population that is vulnerable, is truly shocking".

The Guardian

"Middletown," the classic 1929 sociological study of life in Indiana, reported that education "evokes the fervor of a religion, a means of salvation, among a large section of the population".

The New York Times - Magazine

Hundreds of thousands turned out – and it became clear that, whatever his intentions at the start of the summer, Sisi now had a personal mandate from a significant section of the population.

The Guardian

"Thus, a large section of the population would be susceptible to an outbreak of a 1918-like influenza virus," he and his colleagues conclude.

The New York Times - Science

This, alongside the new dynamic of the creation of rights and the opening up of institutions to a wider section of the population, has provoked an opposite movement among the inhabitants of Brazil's "Belgium".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a section of the population", be specific about which section you are referring to. This adds clarity and avoids generalizations. For example, instead of saying "a section of the population is affected", specify "a section of the population with pre-existing health conditions is affected."

Common error

Avoid using "a section of the population" as a vague placeholder without providing context. Always clarify which segment you are discussing, as failing to do so can lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a section of the population" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, referring to a specific subgroup within a larger population, as shown in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a section of the population" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase to refer to a specific subgroup within a larger population. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various domains, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts. While versatile, clarity is key; always specify which section you're referencing to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "a segment of the population" or "a portion of the population" offer similar meanings, but "a section of the population" remains a solid and reliable choice in most situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a segment of the population

Replaces "section" with "segment", implying a distinct part of the population.

a portion of the population

Substitutes "section" with "portion", suggesting a specific quantity or share of the population.

a fraction of the population

Uses "fraction" instead of "section", emphasizing a smaller, often non-whole part of the population.

a subset of the population

Replaces "section" with "subset", implying a mathematically defined group within the population.

a group within the population

Rephrases the phrase to focus on the group aspect, rather than the segmentation.

a part of the populace

Uses "populace" instead of "population", giving a slightly more formal tone.

some members of the population

Highlights the individual members that make up the section.

certain individuals within the population

Emphasizes specific persons belonging to the population.

a demographic of the population

Focuses specifically on the demographic characteristics of the section.

a cohort of the population

Highlights the shared experience or timeframe among members of this section.

FAQs

How can I use "a section of the population" in a sentence?

You can use "a section of the population" to refer to a specific group within a larger population. For example, "A section of the population is particularly vulnerable to economic downturns."

What are some alternatives to "a section of the population"?

Alternatives include "a segment of the population", "a portion of the population", or "a subset of the population", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a section of the population" or "a part of the population"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. The choice depends on the context and desired emphasis. "A section" suggests a more distinct or segmented group, while "a part" is more general.

How does "a section of the population" differ from "the majority of the population"?

"A section of the population" refers to a subset that is not necessarily the largest. "The majority of the population" indicates more than 50% of the total population.