a small fraction

USAGE SUMMARY

"a small fraction" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a relatively small but still measurable amount of something, like a percentage or a piece of a whole. For example, "Only a small fraction of the students showed up on time for the assembly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Only a small fraction have become public.

The New Yorker

A small fraction at that.

The Guardian - Sport

Only a small fraction have been translated.

The New York Times

A small fraction switched to Republican.

The New York Times

It might just be a small fraction".

The New York Times

Only a small fraction say yes.

The New York Times

Only a small fraction would agree to broader directives.

The New York Times

A small fraction of them will support complex life.

The New Yorker

Only a small fraction of them will fit there.

The Guardian - Sport

Four million is just a small fraction of that.

The Guardian - Tech

Yet they constitute a small fraction of the total incidents.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small fraction", ensure the context clearly establishes the whole that the fraction relates to. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a small fraction" when the actual proportion is truly negligible or statistically insignificant. Using phrases like "virtually none" or "almost no" may be more accurate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small fraction" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a relatively small proportion or part of a whole. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small fraction" is a versatile phrase used to denote a relatively minor portion of something. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically sound and applicable across various contexts. Its frequency is very common, appearing primarily in news and scientific articles. When using "a small fraction", ensure that the larger whole is clear to avoid ambiguity and consider alternatives like "a minority portion" or "a tiny percentage" to add nuance. Avoid overstating the smallness if the portion is truly negligible and prefer alternatives like "virtually none" or "almost no".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tiny percentage

Replaces "fraction" with "percentage", which is more precise and quantifiable.

a minority portion

Replaces "fraction" with "portion" and emphasizes the concept of being in the minority.

a limited segment

Substitutes "fraction" with "segment", suggesting a part of a larger whole with defined boundaries.

a slim measure

Replaces "fraction" with "measure" to indicate a small, precise quantity or degree.

a modest amount

Shifts the focus from a part of a whole to a quantity, implying a small but noticeable quantity.

a negligible quantity

Emphasizes that the small portion is so small it's practically insignificant.

an insignificant number

Highlights the lack of importance of the count

a trace element

Used when referring to very small amounts of a substance within a larger composition.

a sprinkling

Conveys the idea of a sparse distribution or a very small number.

a handful

Indicates a quantity small enough to be held in one hand, suggesting a limited number.

FAQs

How can I use "a small fraction" in a sentence?

Use "a small fraction" to indicate that only a relatively minor portion of a whole is being considered. For example, "Only "a small fraction" of the applicants were selected for the interview".

What are some alternatives to saying "a small fraction"?

You can use alternatives such as "a minority portion", "a tiny percentage", or "a limited segment" depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "a small fraction" when describing a minority?

While "a small fraction" indicates a minority, it's most suitable when the context requires emphasizing the limited quantity or proportion. If the focus is solely on being in the minority, phrases like "a minority" or "a minority group" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "a small fraction" and "a small amount"?

"A small fraction" typically refers to a part of a whole, implying a proportional relationship. "A small amount" refers to a quantity and does not necessarily imply a proportional relationship to a larger whole. For example: "A small fraction of the budget was allocated to marketing", vs. "There was "a small amount" of rain yesterday".