a significant fraction of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a significant fraction of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a part of a larger group or whole. For example, "A significant fraction of the population lives below the poverty line."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I must take blame for at least a significant fraction of the suboptimal design".

The New Yorker

But the amount could be a significant fraction of demand on a bad day.

The New York Times

This could multiply the radiation pressure, and accelerate the space sailors to a significant fraction of light speed.

The Guardian

There are some 200 billion stars in the galaxy, and a significant fraction of them have planets.

The New York Times - Science

Astronomers have no problem ridiculing the claims of astrologists, even though a significant fraction of the public believes these claims.

The New Yorker

Doctors we've spoken to attribute a significant fraction of these to navigation problems, especially at large hospitals.

The Guardian

But what if a significant fraction of the shootings were linked to gene variants?

The New York Times - Science

"Every step along the way, a significant fraction of participants make serious mistakes," she said.

The New York Times

But it achieved that end by erasing incentives for a significant fraction of the unemployed.

The New York Times

A significant fraction of the scientific literature is published by nonprofit science and mathematics education societies.

The New York Times

That's a significant fraction of the company's dwindling net worth.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a significant fraction of" when you want to emphasize that a portion is not just any part, but one that matters due to its size or impact. For instance, "A significant fraction of the budget was allocated to research."

Common error

Avoid using "a significant fraction of" when the portion you're referring to is actually quite small or inconsequential. It can mislead the reader and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant fraction of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that a notable proportion or part of something is being referred to. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is both correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant fraction of" is a versatile phrase used to denote a noteworthy portion of a whole. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage across various domains, particularly in science and news media. When writing, remember to use this phrase to highlight substantial quantities and to avoid overstating the significance of smaller portions. Consider alternatives like "a substantial portion of" or "a considerable part of" to adjust the emphasis as needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial portion of

Emphasizes the considerable size or amount of the portion.

a considerable part of

Highlights the importance and size of the part.

a large segment of

Implies a division into sections and focuses on the size of one of these segments.

a notable percentage of

Uses a more precise, quantifiable approach by specifying a percentage.

a major share of

Indicates that the portion is dominant or influential.

an appreciable quantity of

Stresses that the amount is large enough to be noticed or have an effect.

a good proportion of

Suggests that the balance or ratio of the portion is satisfactory.

a respectable amount of

Emphasizes that the amount is worthy of respect or admiration.

a healthy chunk of

Offers a more informal way of expressing that the portion is sizable and desirable.

a fair amount of

Implies that the quantity is reasonable or just.

FAQs

How can I use "a significant fraction of" in a sentence?

Use "a significant fraction of" to indicate that a notable part of a whole is being considered. For example, "A significant fraction of the students passed the exam".

What's a good alternative to "a significant fraction of"?

Alternatives include "a substantial portion of", "a considerable part of", or "a notable percentage of" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "a significant fraction of" or "a majority of"?

"A significant fraction of" suggests an important but not necessarily dominant portion, whereas "a majority of" implies more than 50%. The best choice depends on the specific proportion you want to convey.

How does the meaning of "a significant fraction of" differ from "some of"?

"Some of" indicates an unspecified quantity, while "a significant fraction of" specifies that the portion is large or important enough to be noteworthy.