a smaller fraction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a smaller fraction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing quantities or proportions, indicating that one part is less than another part in size or amount. Example: "In the survey, a smaller fraction of participants preferred option A over option B."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The technical limitations are also affecting the detection of genetic variations present in a smaller fraction of subclones.

BMC Genomics

A smaller fraction of them, 32%, bank using their mobile phones.

The Guardian - Business

Only 1percentt of the sea floor has been explored, and even a smaller fraction of the sea itself.

The New York Times - Books

It is a smaller fraction yet of all fatalities in Explorers -- about 1 per hundred million miles.

The New York Times

A smaller fraction starts college and a larger fraction drops out.Poor educational performance also interacts perniciously with America's habit of imprisoning large numbers of young black men.

The Economist

This is the major excretory route for cholesterol (though a smaller fraction is lost through the normal sloughing of dead skin cells).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Those who oppose consumption taxes view them as regressive, because wealthier households consume a smaller fraction of their incomes than do poorer households.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ms. McMahon's advisers say that beyond rallying Republicans, she will strive to win a majority of the state's crucial independent voters and a smaller fraction of disaffected Democrats.

The New York Times

In the three Baltic States, where food exports to Russia represent a smaller fraction of overall exports, dairy producers will be among the most affected.

The Economist

America has a smaller fraction of prime-age men in work and in the labour force than any other G7 economy.

The Economist

Argentina's foreign debt constituted a smaller fraction of its income from exports, yet it defaulted on much of it in early 2002.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing proportions, ensure the context clearly defines the whole from which the "smaller fraction" is taken to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid implying a “smaller fraction” without specifying the initial whole or reference point. Always clarify what the fraction is part of to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a smaller fraction" functions primarily as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a reduced quantity or proportion. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase “a smaller fraction” is a versatile expression used to indicate a reduced proportion or quantity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and widely applicable across various domains. Its usage spans formal scientific publications, news reports, and general communications. The phrase functions as a determiner, typically modifying a noun to denote a quantity that is less than another, or less than the whole. The most frequent contexts include scientific and news-related content, indicating its widespread use in analytical and descriptive writing. It is important to provide context to what the fraction refers to. Alternatives such as "a lower fraction" and "a reduced share" offer similar meanings and can be used depending on the nuance required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a lower fraction

This alternative emphasizes the relative position on a scale or range.

a lesser fraction

This focuses on the diminished or reduced nature of the portion.

a smaller amount

This alternative emphasizes a reduction in the total quantity or volume.

a smaller share

This highlights the reduced portion or allocation in a distribution.

a smaller particle

This alternative focuses on physical objects or substances being reduced in size.

a smaller subset

This emphasizes that it is a smaller group of elements taken from a larger one.

a smaller section

This is often used when discussing parts of documents, areas or structures.

a smaller segment

This alternative is useful when referring to a portion or division of something.

a smaller slice

This alternative is suitable when referring to a part or segment of a whole, often used metaphorically.

a smaller aliquot

This alternative is appropriate in scientific and technical contexts when referring to a smaller portion of a liquid or solution.

FAQs

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

Use "a smaller fraction" to indicate that a portion is less than another portion or the whole. For example, "A smaller fraction of students preferred online learning."

What's the difference between "a smaller fraction" and "a smaller percentage"?

"A smaller fraction" is a general term indicating a reduced part of a whole, while "a smaller percentage" specifically refers to a proportion out of 100. They are often interchangeable, but "a smaller percentage" is more precise.

Which is correct, "a smaller fraction" or "a lesser fraction"?

Both "a smaller fraction" and "a lesser fraction" are grammatically correct, but "a smaller fraction" is more commonly used in contemporary English.

What can I say instead of "a smaller fraction"?

You can use alternatives like "a lower portion", "a reduced share", or "a smaller proportion" depending on the context.