a small proportion

USAGE SUMMARY

"a small proportion" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It typically refers to a small amount or percentage of something. It can be used in various contexts, such as describing data, making comparisons, or expressing opinions. Here are a few examples: - A small proportion of students in our school are fluent in a second language. - Out of all the candidates, only a small proportion were qualified for the job. - Despite our efforts, only a small proportion of the population participated in the survey. - In comparison to the overall budget, only a small proportion was allocated to research and development. - In my opinion, a small proportion of the book was poorly written, but the rest was excellent.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a small proportion".

The New York Times

"Only a small proportion will do really well.

The New York Times

It's a small proportion, but it's still 20,000 people".

The Guardian

Only a small proportion have formally converted to Judaism.

The Guardian

They make up a small proportion of the country's creditors.

The Guardian - Business

As yet, only a small proportion is being sent offshore.

The Economist

Manufacturing accounts for a small proportion of the Congolese GDP.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Only a small proportion of the population today is Mormon.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The state has a small proportion of African Americans.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Slightly less than half the members and a small proportion of the workforce".

The Guardian

Instead, they had it all along, or more accurately a small proportion of them did.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small proportion", ensure the context clearly defines the whole to which the proportion relates. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a small proportion" without specifying what the proportion is of. For example, instead of saying "A small proportion were unhappy", specify "A small proportion of respondents were unhappy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small proportion" functions as a determiner phrase, quantifying a noun by indicating that only a limited amount or percentage is being referred to. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small proportion" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a limited quantity or percentage of something. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across diverse contexts, from scientific research to news reporting. It's important to specify what the proportion refers to for clarity. Alternatives include "a tiny fraction" or "a modest percentage". The phrase appears most frequently in scientific and news media sources, suggesting a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tiny fraction

Emphasizes an even smaller quantity compared to "a small proportion".

a limited quantity

Highlights the restricted amount available.

a negligible amount

Suggests that the amount is so small it's almost insignificant.

a minority share

Focuses on the aspect of possessing only a small part of something larger.

a modest percentage

Replaces 'proportion' with 'percentage' and 'small' with 'modest' for a softer tone.

a reduced portion

Focuses on the aspect of shrinking quantity.

a minimal extent

Shifts the focus to the degree or scope being limited.

a small segment

Highlights a small part or division of a whole.

a fractional part

Emphasizes the part is not a whole number.

a trace amount

Suggests a very small and barely detectable quantity.

FAQs

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

Use "a small proportion" to indicate that a limited amount or percentage of something is being discussed. For example, "A small proportion of the budget was allocated to marketing".

What are some alternatives to "a small proportion"?

You can use alternatives like "a tiny fraction", "a minority share", or "a modest percentage" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "a small proportion" or "a small percentage"?

Both phrases are correct, but "a small proportion" is generally used when discussing an undefined total, while "a small percentage" is used when you have a specific numerical value in mind.

When should I avoid using "a small proportion"?

Avoid using "a small proportion" when the amount is actually significant or substantial, as this would be misleading. In such cases, use alternatives like "a significant portion" or "a considerable amount".