a tenth

USAGE SUMMARY

"a tenth" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it as an ordinal number to refer to a specific position in a sequence. For example, "John finished in a tenth place in the race".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

In Canada, the threshold is a tenth.

The Economist

In fact they make up a tenth.

The Economist

It's a tenth circle of hell.

The New York Times

This covered about a tenth of costs.

The Economist

He is still fighting a tenth.

The New Yorker

He was dating a tenth grader now.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

A third, a fourth.

The New Yorker

A first.

The New York Times

What is a fourth of a sixth?

The New Yorker

A third step?

The New York Times

A second, Capt.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing quantities, use "a tenth" to highlight the difference in scale, such as "India's per capita emissions are a tenth of America's", effectively illustrating the magnitude of the disparity.

Common error

Avoid using "a tenth" when a more precise measurement or percentage is available and necessary for clarity. Overusing this general fraction can obscure important details if more specific data exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tenth" functions primarily as a quantifier, denoting a fraction equivalent to 1/10. As seen in Ludwig, it commonly modifies nouns, specifying an amount or proportion, such as "a tenth of the population" or "a tenth of the costs".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

15%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a tenth" is a commonly used quantifier that denotes a fraction equivalent to 1/10, serving to specify a small portion or amount. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. Predominantly featured in news and media, it also appears in academic and scientific writing. When precision is key, consider using "10 percent" or other more exact measurements; however, "a tenth" remains effective for conveying proportions generally. Related phrases like "one tenth", "small fraction", or percentages can provide alternatives depending on the desired level of formality and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one tenth

Changes the article from indefinite to definite, emphasizing the specific fraction.

10 percent

Expresses the fraction as a percentage, making it more easily understood in some contexts.

a tenth part

Rephrases the expression to emphasize the part-whole relationship.

one in ten

Presents the fraction as a ratio, useful for describing probabilities or distributions.

a tiny percentage

Emphasizes the smallness of the percentage.

a small fraction

Generalizes the amount to indicate a minor portion without specifying the exact fraction.

a minimal portion

Highlights the insignificance of the portion being described.

the tenth item

Refers to a specific item in a sequence, rather than a fraction.

the tenth instance

Focuses on a specific occurrence in a series of events.

the tenth iteration

Specifies a particular stage in a repetitive process.

FAQs

How can I use "a tenth" in a sentence?

You can use "a tenth" to describe a fraction of something, such as "Smartphones account for just "a tenth" of total phone sales" or to indicate position like in "a tenth series starts next month".

What's the difference between "a tenth" and "one tenth"?

The phrases "a tenth" and "one tenth" are often interchangeable, but "one tenth" can provide a slightly more precise or formal tone, while "a tenth" is generally more casual. Both refer to the same fractional quantity.

When should I use "10 percent" instead of "a tenth"?

Use "10 percent" when you need to be precise or when percentages are the standard unit of measurement in your context. "A tenth" is suitable when an approximate fraction is sufficient.

What alternatives can I use instead of "a tenth" to indicate a small portion?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a small fraction", "a minimal portion", or "a tiny percentage" to describe a small quantity without specifying the exact fraction.