a significant portion of

USAGE SUMMARY

You can use the phrase "a significant portion of" in written English.
An example sentence could be: "A significant portion of the population is affected by the new policy." This phrase can be used to emphasize how much of something is affected.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

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

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

The New York Times

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

A significant portion of this money is going towards helping developing countries.

The Guardian

We see them in the imagery a significant portion of the time.

The New York Times

But he spends a significant portion of his training time on Vermont trails.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience when deciding whether to use "a significant portion of" or a more precise term like "25%" if the exact figure is known. The former is suitable when approximation suffices, while the latter adds credibility when accuracy is important.

Common error

Avoid using "a significant portion of" when the actual portion is small or inconsequential. Overstating the significance can mislead readers and weaken your argument. For example, instead of saying “A significant portion of users disliked the update”, consider “A small number of users disliked the update” if the actual figure is less than 10%.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant portion of" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It specifies that a notable quantity or amount of something is being referenced. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard and accepted usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant portion of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a notable quantity or amount. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing and frequent usage across various contexts, especially in news, science, and encyclopedic content. While there are many alternative phrases like "a considerable amount of" or "a large segment of", "a significant portion of" remains a clear and reliable choice. Remember to use this phrase judiciously, ensuring that the "significant portion" truly warrants attention and that the context clearly defines the whole it relates to.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable amount of

Changes the adjective to indicate a notable quantity.

a substantial fraction of

Replaces "portion" with "fraction" and uses a more formal adjective.

a large segment of

Substitutes "portion" with "segment", emphasizing a section or group.

a notable percentage of

Uses "percentage" to quantify the portion, adding a statistical feel.

a major share of

Implies a dominant part, suggesting influence or control.

a good deal of

Offers a more informal way to express a considerable quantity.

a healthy chunk of

This is an informal and emphatic way to describe the size of something.

a respectable quantity of

Highlights the adequacy or merit of the amount.

an appreciable number of

Emphasizes that the number is easily noticed or worth considering.

a noteworthy proportion of

Uses "noteworthy" to highlight the importance or interest of the proportion.

FAQs

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

You can use "a significant portion of" to indicate that a considerable amount or number of something is being referred to. For example, "A significant portion of the budget was allocated to education".

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

Some alternatives include "a considerable amount of", "a large segment of", or "a notable percentage of". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality desired.

Is it better to say "a significant portion of" or a precise percentage?

Using a precise percentage (e.g., "25%") is generally more informative and credible if the data is available. "A significant portion of" is suitable when an approximation is sufficient or when precise data is not available.

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

In this context, "significant" implies that the portion being referred to is large enough to be important or noteworthy. It suggests that the portion has a meaningful impact or influence on the overall situation. When trying to understand what "significant" means, you could also evaluate the impact if that portion would disappear.