a significant part of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a significant part of' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is an important element or component of something else. For example, "Sleep is a significant part of staying healthy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Ben was a significant part of that.

The Guardian

Buckles says G4S fulfilled a significant part of the contract.

The Guardian

Abortion was a significant part of that story.

The New Yorker

Food prices are a significant part of the problem.

The New York Times

Slava has been a significant part of that.

The New York Times

That soundtrack is a significant part of the show's attraction.

The New York Times - Arts

Burress lost a significant part of his family on Friday.

The New York Times - Sports

Eccentricity was a significant part of Williams-Ellis's background.

The Guardian

A significant part of that is legal advice".

The Guardian

Maybe that's a significant part of the story".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

You have to be a significant part of the industry.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a significant part of" to emphasize the importance or impact of a specific portion within a larger context. For example, "A significant part of the budget is allocated to research and development."

Common error

Avoid using "a significant part of" in very informal writing; consider simpler alternatives like "much of" or "a lot of" for a more natural tone. For example, instead of "A significant part of my day is spent commuting", try "I spend a lot of my day commuting."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant part of" functions as a modifier, specifically as a determiner phrase that quantifies and qualifies a noun. It indicates that a certain portion or element is noteworthy or impactful within a larger entity or concept. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Huffington Post

6%

The Guardian

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant part of" is a versatile and frequently used phrase in English, indicating that something constitutes an important or noteworthy portion of a larger whole. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. While suitable for neutral to formal contexts, simpler alternatives may be preferred for informal communication. It is crucial to remember to emphasize the relative importance or magnitude of the element. As shown in Ludwig, its widespread usage in news, science, and formal business contexts highlights its relevance across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable portion of

Replaces "part" with "portion" and "significant" with "considerable", suggesting a noteworthy amount or quantity.

a substantial fraction of

Uses "fraction" instead of "part" and "substantial" instead of "significant", implying a meaningful proportion.

a large segment of

Substitutes "part" with "segment", indicating a defined section or component, and "significant" with "large", highlighting size.

a major element of

Replaces "part" with "element" and "significant" with "major", emphasizing importance and essentiality.

an important aspect of

Shifts the focus to an attribute or feature using "aspect" instead of a physical portion, while still retaining the sense of importance.

a key component of

Emphasizes the role of the part as a necessary building block or ingredient using the word "component".

a notable share of

Uses "share" instead of "part" and "notable" instead of "significant", suggesting a considerable contribution or allocation.

a considerable chunk of

Replaces "part" with "chunk", adding a colloquial tone and implying a sizable piece.

a meaningful piece of

Uses "piece" instead of "part" and "meaningful" instead of "significant", emphasizing the importance of the component.

a weighty component of

Replaces "significant" with "weighty", highlighting the importance and impact of a component.

FAQs

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

Use "a significant part of" to indicate that something constitutes an important or noteworthy portion of a larger whole. For instance, "A significant part of the problem is the lack of funding."

What are some alternatives to "a significant part of"?

You can use alternatives such as "a substantial portion of", "a considerable amount of", or "a major element of" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "a significant part of" or "a large part of"?

"A significant part of" emphasizes the importance or impact of the portion being referenced, whereas "a large part of" simply indicates size or quantity. Choose the phrase that best reflects the intended meaning. For example, "A large part of the collection was donated" focuses on quantity, while "A significant part of the collection is historically valuable" highlights importance.

Can "a significant part of" be used to describe abstract concepts?

Yes, "a significant part of" can be used to describe abstract concepts as well as concrete objects. For example, "A significant part of the solution involves changing attitudes" uses the phrase to describe an element of a solution, which is an abstract idea.