a small fraction of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a small fraction of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a proportion that is relatively small. For example: "Only a small fraction of the population was eligible to vote in the election."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

Asylum seekers represent a small fraction of that figure.

The Guardian

Only a small fraction of Mrs. Haggard's supply was exhibited.

The New Yorker

It bears only a small fraction of the delay's cost.

Harvard University

Agency fees are a small fraction of this union premium.

Harvard University

However, this remains a small fraction of tumor lymphatics.

Nature

The privately held Asana has a small fraction of that.

The New York Times - Tech

But that's a small fraction of the country.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a small fraction of" when you want to emphasize that the quantity being referred to is considerably less than the whole. It's effective for highlighting scarcity or limitation.

Common error

Avoid using "a small fraction of" when the quantity is actually substantial. Misusing it can undermine your credibility. For example, don't say "a small fraction of" the population when referring to 45% of the people.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small fraction of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a limited quantity or portion. Ludwig examples confirm it is frequently used to qualify amounts or proportions within a larger context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

22%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small fraction of" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a limited portion or quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It appears frequently in News & Media, Academia, and Science, indicating its versatility and acceptance across various contexts. When writing, it's best to use this phrase to emphasize scarcity or limitation, while avoiding overstatement. Alternatives such as ""a small proportion of"" and ""a tiny percentage of"" can be used to add nuance. This phrase serves to emphasize the limited extent of something, and it does so effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small proportion of

Emphasizes the relative size or ratio of the part to the whole.

a tiny percentage of

Highlights the extremely small size of the portion.

a limited amount of

Focuses on the restricted quantity available.

a negligible portion of

Stresses the insignificance of the amount.

only a handful of

Indicates a very small, countable number.

a minority of

Highlights that the portion is less than half.

a mere sliver of

Emphasizes the thinness or smallness of the portion.

an insignificant quantity of

Focuses on the lack of importance of the amount.

a sparse selection of

Suggests that the portion is thinly distributed or limited in variety.

a modicum of

Implies a very small or moderate amount, often used in a positive sense.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small fraction of" to indicate that only a small part of something is being considered. For example: "Only "a small fraction of" the applicants were accepted into the program".

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

Alternatives include "a small proportion of", "a tiny percentage of", or "a limited amount of" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a small fraction of" in formal writing?

Yes, "a small fraction of" is appropriate for formal writing as it is grammatically correct and widely understood in academic, professional, and news contexts.

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

"A small fraction of" indicates a very small portion, while "a majority of" signifies more than half of something. They represent opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of quantity.