a small percent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small percent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a portion of the whole that is relatively insignificant. For example, "Only a small percent of voters support the current administration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Only a small percent of our fans will ever be here," Jones said.

The New York Times

PEOPLE AND COYOTES A small percent of people don't like coyotes and don't think they should be in the city.

The New York Times

This tax would be set as a small percent of a person's state (or federal) tax or adjusted gross income.

The New York Times

Of those, only a small percent are likely to be equipped with technologies that could reduce emissions.

The New York Times

We'll still be delivering them, but they will be slightly slower than before, but only a small percent.

The New York Times

For instance, an organism can produce vast quantities of eggs of which, possibly by neglect, only a small percent will survive.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"You then need some of the business to go from small to medium sizes, and you want a small percent to really succeed and become large businesses".

The New York Times

Refiners insist that the threat of company-owned stations undercutting franchisees was a fiction on Long Island, because only a small percent are company-owned.

The New York Times

"If your selection pool is only 6percentt of the population," Mr. Tingley, the principal, said, "that is a small percent to draw from.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Previous research demonstrated that CMSs accounted for a small percent (0.45-16.7%) of CMTs [ 5, 28, 29], and similar results were reported in our study.

BMC Veterinary Research

Sixty milliliters of PEG200 induce the formation of cubic IOMNPs and favor oxidative conditions which allow the formation of a small percent of hematite.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small percent", ensure the context clearly defines the total amount or population from which the percentage is derived to provide clarity and prevent ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because you're talking about "a small percent" the impact is necessarily insignificant. Even a small percentage can represent a large absolute number or a crucial effect, depending on the scale of the overall total.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small percent" primarily functions as a quantifier, specifically as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun. As Ludwig AI confirmes, it indicates a relatively minor portion of a whole, functioning to specify the amount or proportion being discussed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

46%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a small percent" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate a relatively minor portion of a whole. As Ludwig AI explains, it functions as a quantifier to specify a small amount or proportion. This phrase is frequently used in news, science, and general writing to convey that something represents only a minor part of a larger entity. When employing this phrase, it's important to ensure the context clarifies the overall total to which the percentage refers, preventing any ambiguity. Be aware that a small percentage doesn't always equate to insignificance; its impact depends on the magnitude of the overall amount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tiny fraction

Replaces "percent" with "fraction", emphasizing the small size of the portion.

a negligible portion

Substitutes "small percent" with "negligible portion", highlighting its insignificance.

a minor proportion

Uses "minor proportion" instead of "small percent", focusing on the relative size.

a limited quantity

Replaces the statistical term with a general expression of limited amount.

a modest share

Employs "modest share" to indicate a small part of the whole.

a fractional part

Uses "fractional part" as a more descriptive alternative to "small percent".

a slight amount

Substitutes "small percent" with "slight amount", emphasizing the minimal quantity.

a small segment

Employs "small segment" to describe a minor section of the whole.

an insignificant number

Replaces the percentage with the term number

a trace element

Substitutes "small percent" with "trace element", commonly in scientific contexts.

FAQs

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

Use "a small percent" to describe a relatively minor portion of a whole. For example, "A small percent of the population owns most of the wealth."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "a small percent"?

You can use phrases like "a tiny fraction", "a minor proportion", or "a negligible portion" to convey a similar idea.

Is it always correct to assume "a small percent" means something is unimportant?

No, the importance of "a small percent" depends on the context. A small percentage of a very large number can still be significant.

What's the difference between "a small percent" and "a large percent"?

"A small percent" indicates a minor portion of the whole, while "a large percent" signifies a significant portion.