a thin percentage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a thin percentage" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used to describe a very small or minimal proportion of something, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "Only a thin percentage of the population participated in the survey, indicating a lack of interest."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Because it will still be only a thin percentage of what you would have earned if you'd stayed in finance.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

– what appeared to be a razor-thin victory for Obama on the night of 6 November has slowly stretched into a clear margin of more than four million votes and a three percentage-point lead over Mitt Romney.

The Guardian

For comparison, in its fiscal 2013, Box had average revenue of roughly $31 million per quarter, so this first-quarter figure, while obviously far superior than its first-quarter 2013 tally, is a thinner percentage better than its last-year average.

TechCrunch

Should you prefer to have a thinner percentage of milk, you can simply adjust the ratio to 1 part milk and 2 parts water.

WikiHow

We investigated the influence of slight thinning (percentage of woods: 16.6%, basal area: 9.3%) on landscape appreciation and the psychological restorative effect of an on-site setting by exposing respondents to an ordinarily managed coniferous woodland.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

Interests in taxol production from hazel trees, especially from its leaves, have grown rapidly with the aim of conserving endangered yew species [ 17]. C. mandshurica is widely distributed in northeastern China and its nuts are characterized by a thin husk and high shelling percentage [ 18].

BMC Plant Biology

A thin smear was made, stained with Giemsa and the percentage parasitemia determined.

Plosone

A thin smear of the culture was then made and percentage parasitemia was calculated by counting at least 500 RBC (∼6 8 fields of vision).

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

It was a thin time.

The New Yorker

It's a thin line.

The New York Times - Sports

A thin case.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing data or statistics, consider using more precise language like "a small percentage" or specifying the actual percentage value for clarity.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "a thin percentage" without providing context or a specific numerical range. This can leave the reader uncertain about the actual proportion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a thin percentage" functions as a noun phrase, modifying an implied noun (e.g., "of something"). It indicates a small or reduced proportion. As Ludwig AI points out, while grammatically acceptable, it is not the most common or stylistically preferred choice.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

48%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a thin percentage" describes a small proportion but is not the most common or stylistically strong choice. Ludwig AI suggests that while grammatically correct, it's better to opt for phrases like "a small percentage" or "a minimal percentage". The phrase appears in news, scientific and wiki contexts, but more precise language is often preferred, especially in formal writing. The use of more specific numbers increases clarity, whereas relying solely on "a thin percentage" could be perceived as vague.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small proportion

Emphasizes the relative size of the part compared to the whole.

a negligible fraction

Highlights the insignificance of the quantity.

a marginal amount

Suggests the amount is barely sufficient or relevant.

a slender fraction

Uses a more elegant term to convey the idea of a small part.

a limited extent

Focuses on the degree to which something occurs or is true.

a tiny sliver

Implies a very narrow or small amount.

a scant quantity

Underscores the deficiency or lack of abundance.

a minimal portion

Stresses that the amount is the least possible.

a trifling share

Conveys the idea that the amount is of little importance.

a fractional part

More formally describes a division into small components.

FAQs

What does "a thin percentage" mean?

The phrase "a thin percentage" describes a very small or minimal proportion of something. It suggests that the amount is not substantial or significant.

What can I say instead of "a thin percentage"?

You can use alternatives like "a small percentage", "a minimal percentage", or "a negligible amount" depending on the context.

Is "a thin percentage" grammatically correct?

While grammatically sound, "a thin percentage" is less common and can sound awkward. It's generally better to use more standard expressions like "a small percentage" or "a slight percentage".

How can I use "a thin percentage" in a sentence?

You might say, "Only a thin percentage of the applicants were selected for the interview", but consider if a more precise number or alternative phrasing would be clearer.