a very small percentage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very small percentage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing statistics or proportions that are minimal in comparison to a whole. Example: "In the survey, a very small percentage of respondents reported feeling dissatisfied with the service."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"A very small percentage," Chris Pharo replied.

The Guardian

The answer is: a very small percentage.

The New York Times

"But it's officially a very small percentage of the requirement".

The New York Times - Health

Just a very small percentage of this huge amount".

The Guardian - Sport

"A very small percentage of them go see physicians.

The New York Times - Sports

"I got a very small percentage of that 'M.

The New York Times - Magazine

But only a very small percentage of aid organization spending right now is going toward that.

Yale University

Cannabis production makes up only a very small percentage of agriculture in California.

University of California, Berkeley

Cases of sickness made up a very small percentage which in my opinion was normal.

Yale University

"And," he admitted, "a very small percentage are selling their drugs".

The New York Times

Probably not more than a very small percentage of the whole.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance readability, follow "a very small percentage" with specific data or examples that illustrate the point further.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a very small percentage" automatically equates to insignificance. Even a small percentage can represent a substantial number or impact, especially when dealing with large populations or high-stakes situations.

Linguistic Context

A very small percentage functions as a quantifier, specifying an amount that is considerably less than the whole. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. The examples showcase its role in conveying relative proportions in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

24%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a very small percentage" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate a minimal proportion. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. While versatile, it's crucial to provide sufficient context to ensure clarity and to avoid misinterpretations about the practical implications of the percentage. Alternatives like "a negligible proportion" or "a tiny fraction" offer similar meanings, but the choice depends on the specific nuance you aim to convey. Remember, while the phrase suggests insignificance, the actual impact should be evaluated based on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a negligible proportion

Emphasizes the insignificance of the proportion.

a tiny fraction

Highlights the smallness of the fraction.

a minuscule amount

Focuses on the extremely small quantity.

a minimal quantity

Stresses the lowness of the quantity.

a trace amount

Implies that the amount is barely detectable.

an insignificant number

Highlights the lack of importance of the number.

a slim margin

Refers to a small difference or degree.

a minor portion

Emphasizes the small size of the portion.

a fractional part

Indicates that it's only a small component of the whole.

a drop in the bucket

Highlights how small the amount is compared to the whole.

FAQs

How can I use "a very small percentage" in a sentence?

You can use "a very small percentage" to indicate a minimal proportion of something. For example, "Only a very small percentage of applicants were accepted into the program".

What are some alternatives to saying "a very small percentage"?

Alternatives include "a negligible proportion", "a tiny fraction", or "a minuscule amount", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always accurate to consider "a very small percentage" as insignificant?

Not necessarily. Even if the percentage is low, its real-world implications may not be negligible. For instance, a very small percentage of defects in a high-volume product can affect a large number of customers.

When is it more appropriate to use a specific number instead of "a very small percentage"?

If the actual number or range is more informative and understandable to your audience, using specific figures or ranges may be better. For example, instead of "a very small percentage", stating "less than 1%" or "fewer than 50 cases" could be more impactful.