a significant portion

USAGE SUMMARY

"a significant portion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that a large amount of something is being discussed. For example, "A significant portion of the population is unemployed due to the current state of the economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But a significant portion probably did not.

The New York Times - Magazine

A significant portion of Chaleur Humaine is about gender identity.

The Guardian - Music

Undoubtedly, work will take a significant portion of these hours.

The Guardian - Opinion

(The intelligence agency outsources a significant portion of its work).

The New Yorker

But a significant portion of the cinematic city goes unsung.

The New York Times

So a significant portion is delegated to innovative technology.

The Guardian - Opinion

"A significant portion of our people do not make it".

The New York Times

Not all are sympathisers, but a significant portion are.

The Guardian - Opinion

Himachal Pradesh produces a significant portion of India's hydroelectric power.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Tourism alone constitutes a significant portion of this amount annually.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It represents a significant portion of any society's economic activities.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a significant portion", ensure the context clearly defines what the 'whole' is. This helps readers understand the scale of the portion being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "a significant portion" when the portion is actually quite small or inconsequential. Ensure that the amount truly warrants the descriptor 'significant' to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant portion" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that a considerable part or share of something is being discussed. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant portion" is a versatile phrase used to denote a considerable amount or share of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Analysis of usage patterns reveals its prevalence in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the 'whole' to which the portion relates, and avoid overstating the significance of the portion if it is, in reality, quite small. By considering these nuances, you can effectively and accurately use "a significant portion" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial fraction

Replaces "portion" with "fraction", implying a numerical division, and "significant" with "substantial", indicating considerable size or importance.

an appreciable share

Emphasizes that the share is large enough to be noticed or considered important, using "appreciable" in place of "significant".

a notable segment

Substitutes "portion" with "segment", highlighting a distinct part of a whole, and "significant" with "notable", emphasizing that the segment is worthy of attention.

a sizable quantity

Substitutes "portion" with "quantity", focusing on the amount, and "significant" with "sizable", indicating the quantity is quite large.

a considerable segment

Uses "considerable" instead of "significant", softening the emphasis on the importance but still indicating a sizable amount.

a large fraction

Employs "large" to replace "significant", providing a more direct and less formal way to describe the size of the portion.

a major chunk

Replaces "portion" with "chunk", suggesting a more informal and less precise quantity. "Major" is more emphatic than "significant".

a good deal

This phrase is less formal and suitable for more casual contexts. It emphasizes the quantity in a less precise manner.

a relevant component

Shifts the focus from quantity to importance by using "relevant", while "component" highlights its role as part of a larger system.

a dominant element

Highlights the portion's controlling or prevailing influence, making it stand out more than just being numerically important.

FAQs

How can I use "a significant portion" in a sentence?

"A significant portion" is typically used to indicate that a considerable part of something is being referred to. For example, "A significant portion of the budget was allocated to research and development".

What are some alternatives to "a significant portion"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a substantial fraction", "a notable segment", or "a considerable segment".

Is it better to say "a significant part" or "a significant portion"?

Both "a significant part" and "a significant portion" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. The choice depends on the context and desired level of formality. "Portion" might be slightly more formal.

What does "significant" really mean in "a significant portion"?

In this context, "significant" means that the portion is large enough or important enough to be worthy of attention or consideration. It implies that the portion is not negligible.