an extra portion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an extra portion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an additional serving or amount of something, often in the context of food or resources. Example: "After finishing my meal, I decided to order an extra portion of fries to satisfy my cravings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

(Actually, I asked for veg - the waitress just brought an extra portion of chips).

The Guardian - Travel

(There are also "deluxe" versions, but that just indicates an extra portion of noodles).

The New Yorker

And he gets an extra portion merely for showing up on time.

The New York Times

Are the foresters not paid an extra portion for working in the forest?

The New York Times

To be looked forward to: Christmas comes but once a year, and with it an extra portion of cruelty.

The Guardian - Opinion

The aim – which Taylor admits is a "massive, massive challenge" – is to get everyone in Britain eating an extra portion of vegetables every day.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

The best-selling spicy tuna, with its neat rolls tucked beneath a sloppy extra portion of chopped fish turned orange by chili sauce (and a touch of garlic), began as creamy richness with a briny undertone, then moved to separate grains of rice and a burn that lingered long enough to make you hungry for another bite.

The New York Times

Instead, pick five small, achievable changes such as switching to skimmed milk, choosing leaner cuts of red meat and poultry, eating only half your pudding (save the rest for tomorrow night), eating an extra vegetable portion a day and eating from a smaller plate to help control portion size.

Independent

If a whole afternoon in the kitchen feels too much, get in the habit of cooking a few extra portions whenever you do have enough time to make a decent meal.

The Guardian

The highlight came at the halfway point, when we arrived in the village of Efogi early enough to arrange a few extra portions in the "mumu" one of the women was digging, again for 5 kina each.

The New York Times - Travel

Plan on a few extra portions of food and don't worry about it.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an extra portion", ensure the context clearly indicates what the original, standard, or expected portion size is, to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "an extra portion" when the standard portion hasn't been established or is unclear. For example, instead of saying 'I'll have "an extra portion",' specify what you want an extra portion of, such as 'I'll have an extra portion of vegetables'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an extra portion" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition in a sentence. It describes an additional quantity or serving of something, typically food. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an extra portion" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to an additional serving or amount of something, especially food. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. While it finds use across various contexts, it frequently appears in news articles and scientific publications, suggesting a neutral register. If you're looking for alternatives, phrases like "an additional serving" or "a supplementary amount" can be suitable substitutes depending on the level of formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an additional serving

Replaces 'portion' with 'serving', emphasizing the act of serving food.

an added helping

Substitutes 'extra' with 'added' and 'portion' with 'helping', both synonyms.

a supplementary amount

Uses more formal terms, suitable for professional or academic writing.

a further share

Emphasizes the distribution aspect of the additional amount.

an increased quantity

Highlights the numerical aspect of the addition.

a surplus serving

Suggests that there's more than what is typically needed.

a bonus allocation

Implies a deliberate decision to give something extra.

an augmented ration

More formal and specific, relating to a fixed allowance.

a generous helping

Emphasizes the size and positive nature of the extra amount.

another piece

Simple and direct, suitable when referring to something countable.

FAQs

How do you use "an extra portion" in a sentence?

You can use "an extra portion" to describe an additional serving or amount of something, like food or resources. For example, "I asked for "an extra portion of chips" with my meal".

What's a more formal way to say "an extra portion"?

For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "a supplementary amount" or "an additional serving".

Is it always appropriate to request "an extra portion"?

The appropriateness of requesting "an extra portion" depends on the context. It's generally acceptable in informal settings like restaurants or at home. However, in more formal situations or when resources are limited, it might be necessary to consider alternatives such as simply asking for more.

What's the difference between "an extra portion" and "seconds"?

"An extra portion" generally refers to an additional serving provided at the same time as the initial serving. "Seconds" typically implies requesting another serving after finishing the first one.