a vast portion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a vast portion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large part or segment of something, often in contexts discussing quantities, areas, or populations. Example: "A vast portion of the forest was destroyed in the wildfire, leaving behind only charred remains."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Here they will get a vast portion of the revenues," beyond which he would not elaborate.

The New York Times - Arts

It holds dominion over a vast portion of oil and natural gas below the North Sea.

The New York Times

But a vast portion of life should be exempt from control by majorities.

The Washington Post

But what Prein and other researchers have found is much higher across a vast portion of the United States.

The Washington Post

14 Protecting the Blue Crab A vast portion of the lower Chesapeake Bay has been declared a sanctuary to provide safe passage for the embattled blue crab.

The New York Times

A monumental city-planning scheme is to fill in a vast portion of Tokyo Bay & erect a twin city to Tokyo.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

And then for sheer effect, one of the public-realm pieces is a Richard Wilson number, in which a vast ovoid portion of the facade of a disused building on Moorfields has been cut out and set to rotate in three dimensions.

The Guardian

But while Mr. Spitzer and Mr. Cayne face years in exile, the indefatigable Mr. Grasso brings his case to New York's highest appeals court on Tuesday, with a growing chance that he may keep the vast portion of his payout.

The New York Times

I just carved this (infinitely!) vast portion out of the rest of my life and said, I'll just do whatever you nice AA people say.

The Guardian - Opinion

The vast portion of location theory is location problems in the monopoly condition.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

For example, are we talking about the traditional market where the vast portion of the satellites are small-, medium- or large-sized?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a vast portion" when you want to emphasize the largeness or immensity of the part being referred to. It adds more emphasis than simply saying "a large part".

Common error

Avoid using "a vast portion" in very casual conversation; alternatives like "a lot" or "most of" might be more appropriate in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a vast portion" functions primarily as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a large quantity or segment. This is supported by Ludwig, which provides examples in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a vast portion" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies a large segment or share of something. According to Ludwig, this phrase is primarily utilized in neutral to formal registers, commonly appearing in news, scientific, and encyclopedia contexts. While interchangeable with options like "a large part" or "a significant share", "a vast portion" distinctly emphasizes immensity. Use it effectively to add weight to your descriptions while considering the formality of your intended audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a large part

Replaces "vast" with "large", indicating a general large segment rather than emphasizing immensity.

a significant share

Uses "significant" to highlight the importance or impact of the portion.

a substantial segment

Emphasizes the considerable size and distinct nature of the portion.

a considerable amount

Shifts the focus to quantity, suggesting a large quantity instead of a division.

a major fraction

Highlights that the portion represents a large fraction of the total.

a sizable chunk

Uses a more informal term, "chunk", to describe the considerable portion.

a good deal

Suggests a considerable amount, often used in less formal contexts.

a large percentage

Specifies the portion as a percentage, implying a numerical representation.

the lion's share

Implies the largest and most desirable portion.

the greater part

Indicates that the portion is larger than any other single portion.

FAQs

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

You can use "a vast portion" to describe a large part or segment of something. For example, "A vast portion of the Amazon rainforest is under threat from deforestation".

What are some alternatives to "a vast portion"?

You can use alternatives like "a large part", "a significant share", or "a substantial segment" depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "a vast portion" or "a large part"?

"A vast portion" tends to be slightly more formal and emphasizes the considerable size of the segment being described, while "a large part" is more neutral.

What's the difference between "a vast portion" and "a considerable amount"?

"A vast portion" refers to a part or segment of something, whereas "a considerable amount" implies a large quantity or measurement.