a small proportion of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small proportion of" is a correctly formed and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a small portion of something, such as a group of people or a quantity of items. For example, "A small proportion of the population is under the age of eighteen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Business

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

There are 22 such neighbourhoods in Berlin, but they cover a small proportion of the city.

The Guardian

More than 100,000 Burmese refugees live there, a small proportion of them Rohingya.

The Guardian

But only a small proportion of its players enter the profession.

The Guardian - Music

And cash accounts for only a small proportion of the savings held by most people.

The Guardian - Business

This is but a small proportion of the negative articles published by the paper.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small proportion of", ensure the context clearly establishes the larger group or whole from which the proportion is drawn. This helps avoid ambiguity and provides a clear understanding of the scale involved.

Common error

Avoid using "a small proportion of" when the actual quantity, even if proportionally small, is significant in absolute terms. Ensure the emphasis remains on the limited nature of the proportion itself, not accidentally downplaying a substantial number.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small proportion of" functions as a determiner phrase. According to Ludwig, it correctly identifies a limited quantity or share of a larger whole. The examples from Ludwig show it modifying nouns to indicate a reduced amount or percentage within a given context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small proportion of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a limited part or quantity within a larger whole. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. Related phrases include "a tiny fraction of" and "a minority of", each carrying slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, ensure the larger context is clear to avoid ambiguity. It's important to remember that while the proportion is small, the actual quantity might still be significant. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase effectively communicates the scale and importance of the segment being discussed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tiny fraction of

Replaces "proportion" with "fraction", emphasizing the smallness of the part.

a minimal portion of

Replaces "proportion" with "portion", keeping a similar meaning with slightly more formal tone.

a minority of

Highlights that the subject is a smaller group within a larger population.

a limited amount of

Focuses on the quantity being restricted rather than the part-to-whole relationship.

a negligible quantity of

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

an insignificant segment of

Highlights that the segment is not important or impactful due to its size.

only a handful of

Indicates a very small number of items or individuals.

a scarce amount of

Stresses the rarity or limited availability of something.

a reduced quantity of

Indicates the amount has been lessened or diminished.

a drop in the ocean of

Expresses the insignificance of the amount compared to the whole.

FAQs

How do I use "a small proportion of" in a sentence?

Use "a small proportion of" to indicate that a minority or a limited quantity of something is being discussed. For example, "A small proportion of students participate in extracurricular activities".

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

You can use alternatives such as "a minority of", "a tiny fraction of", or "only a handful of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Both "a small proportion of" and "a small percentage of" are correct and often interchangeable. "Proportion" can be used more broadly, while "percentage" is specifically tied to numerical data.

What's the difference between "a small proportion of" and "a small number of"?

"A small proportion of" refers to a part of a whole, while "a small number of" refers to a limited quantity. You'd use "proportion" when discussing a share or ratio, and "number" when discussing a count.