a tenth of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a tenth of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a portion or part of a whole that is equal to one tenth. For example: "A tenth of the students in the classroom raised their hands."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This covered about a tenth of costs.

The Economist

Now there's barely a tenth of that.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It lasted about a tenth of a second.

The New York Times - Sports

That's not even a tenth of the minimum wage.

The New Yorker

There's only a tenth of that in broadcasting".

The New Yorker

Almost a tenth of the population was illiterate.

The New Yorker

Nima has received only a tenth of that amount.

The Guardian - Travel

Just $500 million, or a tenth of the current gap.

The New York Times

Less than a tenth of revenue comes from healthier options.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

A fifth of MEPs?

The Economist

What is a fourth of a sixth?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a tenth of", ensure clarity regarding what the 'whole' is. For instance, specify "a tenth of the budget" instead of just "a tenth".

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly stating what "a tenth of" refers to. Saying "a tenth of them" is unclear if the group isn't explicitly defined in the preceding context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tenth of" functions as a quantifier, specifying a fractional portion of a whole. It is used to indicate that something constitutes one-tenth of a larger entity or quantity, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a tenth of" is a versatile and commonly used quantifier to express a proportion equal to one-tenth of something. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across diverse contexts such as News & Media and Science. While generally neutral in tone, clarity is key, it's really important to ensure the 'whole' is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "ten percent of" or "one-tenth part" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. With an expert rating of 4.5, its consistent usage and presence in authoritative sources underscore its reliability and correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one tenth part

Replaces "a tenth" with "one tenth part", emphasizing the fractional nature of the amount.

ten percent of

Expresses the same proportion using percentage instead of a fraction.

a small fraction of

Indicates a small portion, though not necessarily precisely one-tenth.

a minor portion of

Highlights that the amount is a small and less significant part of the whole.

a limited amount of

Emphasizes the restricted quantity, not necessarily tied to a specific fraction.

a fragment of

Suggests a broken or incomplete part, which may be a tenth.

a trace of

Indicates a very small amount, almost negligible.

a modicum of

Implies a small or moderate amount, often in a positive sense.

an iota of

Suggests an extremely small, almost immeasurable amount.

a sliver of

Conveys a very thin or narrow piece, often used for physical objects but applicable metaphorically.

FAQs

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

Use "a tenth of" to indicate a proportion equivalent to 10% of something. For example, "A tenth of the revenue comes from online sales".

What are some alternatives to saying "a tenth of"?

You can use alternatives like "ten percent of", "one-tenth part", or "a small fraction of" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "a tenth of" or "ten percent of"?

While both are acceptable, "ten percent of" might be perceived as slightly more formal in certain business or scientific contexts, whereas "a tenth of" is generally neutral.

What does "a tenth of a second" mean?

"A tenth of a second" refers to a very short duration, equivalent to 0.1 seconds. It's often used in sports or technical contexts where precise timing is crucial.