are a fraction of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are a fraction of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is a small part or portion of a larger whole. Example: "The students who attended the seminar are a fraction of the total enrollment at the university."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

With global prices down at $60, returns from tar sands projects are a fraction of what they were a year ago.

Huffington Post

Male sterilisation rates are a fraction of those of women.

The Guardian

But now performances are a fraction of its activity.

The New York Times - Arts

Transportation costs are a fraction of what they are overseas.

The New York Times

Hocks are a fraction of the cost of a whole ham.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

British operations are a fraction of those carried out by the US.

The Guardian

Its rates are a fraction of those at the more elaborate spots.

The New York Times

Our employee expenses are a fraction of what the other bowls are," he said.

The Washington Post

But together, these investments are a fraction of $450 billion Mr. Trump claims.

The New York Times

The French, Germans and Italians have duty rates that are a fraction of ours.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's a fraction of what it was.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are a fraction of", ensure the context clearly indicates what the whole is for accurate comparison. For example, "The students who attended the seminar are a fraction of the total enrollment at the university".

Common error

Avoid using "are a fraction of" when the portion is actually substantial. This diminishes the importance of what you're describing. For instance, don't say 'Our sales this quarter are a fraction of last year's' if they are only slightly lower.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are a fraction of" functions as a comparative quantifier, indicating that one amount or quantity is significantly smaller than another. This usage is supported by Ludwig AI, which highlights numerous examples in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Academia

11%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are a fraction of" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is a small portion compared to a larger whole. Ludwig AI's analysis demonstrates that this phrase is widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, academia, and wiki articles. When using this phrase, make sure to clearly identify what the whole is for the comparison to be meaningful and avoid using it when the portion is not genuinely small. Alternatives include "constitute a small portion of" or "represent a minor part of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constitute a small portion of

Emphasizes composition rather than relative size.

represent a minor part of

Highlights the representational aspect and the insignificance of the portion.

account for a small percentage of

Focuses on numerical proportion in relation to the whole.

form a tiny segment of

Emphasizes the reduced dimensions of the section.

are just a piece of

Suggests that the topic is one of several.

are a small component of

Highlights that the fraction is only part of the total.

are a limited amount of

Indicates that there is a restriction on the total.

are insignificant compared to

Emphasizes the disparity between the parts.

pale in comparison to

Highlights the lower importance of the subject.

are dwarfed by

Suggests the small portion is being overshadowed by a larger entity.

FAQs

How can I use "are a fraction of" in a sentence?

Use "are a fraction of" to indicate that a quantity or value is small compared to another. For example, "The costs associated with impact bonds "are a fraction of" the savings realized by the government".

What phrases are similar to "are a fraction of"?

Similar phrases include "constitute a small portion of", "represent a minor part of", or "account for a small percentage of".

Is it always appropriate to use "are a fraction of"?

No, it's important that the portion genuinely constitutes a fraction compared to the whole. Using it for large portions is inaccurate and misleading. So consider using something like "are most of" or "are almost all of" if it's a large portion.

What's the difference between "are a fraction of" and "are a part of"?

"Are a fraction of" indicates a small portion, while "are a part of" is more general and doesn't necessarily imply a small quantity. You can say "these costs "are a part of" our overall costs", but if you intend to say that they represent a minor part use the expression "are a fraction of" instead.