a tiny portion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tiny portion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small amount or a fraction of something, often in contexts related to food, resources, or data. Example: "After the meal, I realized I had only eaten a tiny portion of the dessert."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A tiny portion of roast beef.

The Economist

Visible light is just a tiny portion of all light.

Harvard University

(A tiny portion of the collection is currently available digitally).

The New York Times - Books

It amounts to a tiny portion of the federal budget.

The New York Times

A tiny portion of it is witty or creative.

The Guardian - Arts

But those cases make up a tiny portion of the total juvenile caseload nationwide.

The New York Times

Hydroelectric stations and other power sources constitute only a tiny portion of the total.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They sit right below the Supreme Court, which accepts only a tiny portion of appeals.

The Economist

Fortunately, they got their hands on only a tiny portion of the library's collection.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Wagering on politics is a tiny portion of the total betting handle.

Vice

He began gingerly, performing a test on a tiny portion, removing varnish with an organic solvent.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the insignificance of an amount, use "a tiny portion" to highlight how small it is in relation to the whole.

Common error

Avoid using "a tiny portion" when the amount, while small, is still meaningful or significant in its context. For example, it is more appropriate to say "a significant portion" of donations came from local businesses rather than "a tiny portion" when local business donations formed the majority of the revenue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tiny portion" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a small quantity or amount. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples show it describing physical amounts (food) and abstract concepts (budget, data).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

16%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tiny portion" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a very small amount or fraction. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for diverse contexts, ranging from news and academic writing to more informal communication. While versatile, it's essential to consider the magnitude of the quantity and whether "a tiny portion" accurately reflects its significance. Alternatives like "a small amount" or "a trace amount" might be more appropriate depending on the context. Its prevalence in authoritative sources such as The New York Times, The Economist, and Forbes underscores its widespread acceptance and utility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small fraction

Replaces "tiny portion" with "small fraction", emphasizing the fractional aspect of the small amount.

a minute quantity

Uses "minute quantity" instead of "tiny portion" highlighting the extremely small amount.

a negligible amount

Substitutes "tiny portion" with "negligible amount", stressing the insignificance of the quantity.

a sliver

Replaces "tiny portion" with "sliver", which is a very small or narrow piece of something.

a fragment

Uses "fragment" instead of "tiny portion" referring to a small part broken or separated from something.

a trace

Substitutes "tiny portion" with "trace", indicating a very small quantity or barely detectable amount.

an iota

Replaces "tiny portion" with "iota" emphasizing an extremely small amount.

a speck

Uses "speck" instead of "tiny portion" implying something small enough to be barely visible.

a morsel

Substitutes "tiny portion" with "morsel", suggesting a small piece, often of food.

a hint

Replaces "tiny portion" with "hint" referring to a slight indication or small amount.

FAQs

How can I use "a tiny portion" in a sentence?

You can use "a tiny portion" to describe a small amount or fraction of something, often in contexts related to food, resources, or data. For example: "Only "a tiny portion" of the budget was allocated to marketing."

What can I say instead of "a tiny portion"?

You can use alternatives like "a small amount", "a little bit", or "a small fraction" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a small portion" or "a tiny portion"?

"A tiny portion" emphasizes an even smaller amount compared to "a small portion". The choice depends on how much you want to emphasize the limited quantity.

What is the difference between "a tiny portion" and "a trace amount"?

"A tiny portion" implies a small quantity, whereas "a trace amount" suggests an amount so small it's barely detectable.