around a 5th

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "around a 5th" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when estimating a fraction or percentage, typically in informal contexts. Example: "The project is about 80% complete, which is around a 5th of the total work left."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

For example, Ross has one DNA Circle around a 5th great-grandfather with more than 50 people in it.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

There is around a 45 minute holding time for patties.

WikiHow

Dinner: around a £100 a head.

Independent

Draw around a 5 pence piece twice.

The Guardian

This book revolves around a 10-year old boy, Michael.

The Guardian

We are rolling our tongues around a 3 letter word.

The Guardian - Books

Smartest move Organized entire speech around a 10-point plan.

The Guardian - Opinion

Investors had been expecting around a 5 percentage point improvement.

The New York Times

Around a 100 people a year are expected to benefit from the scheme, which will cost around £800,000.

The Guardian

On any given morning around 8 30, several seniors invariably gather in the room around a 12-foot worktable.

The New York Times - Magazine

The cost price is estimated around a 100 Million Euro.

Acta Astronautica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "around a 5th", ensure the context makes it clear you are providing an estimate, not an exact value. This phrase is best suited for informal communication or when precise figures are not necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "around a 5th" in contexts that require precise data or measurements. This phrase indicates an estimate, which may not be appropriate for scientific reports, financial statements, or legal documents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around a 5th" functions as an adverbial modifier indicating an approximate quantity or proportion. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is primarily used to express estimations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "around a 5th" serves as an informal way to express an approximate quantity, equivalent to about 20%. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct but best suited for informal contexts where precision isn't crucial. While sources like The Guardian and Huffington Post demonstrate its usage, more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "approximately one-fifth". When using "around a 5th", be mindful of your audience and the level of formality required, ensuring clear communication of your intended estimation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately one-fifth

More formal and precise, using "approximately" instead of "around".

roughly a fifth

Similar in meaning, replacing "around" with "roughly" for a slightly different tone.

about a fifth

A simpler alternative, using "about" to indicate an approximation.

close to a fifth

Indicates proximity to one-fifth, emphasizing nearness.

nearly a fifth

Similar to "close to a fifth", suggesting the value is just below one-fifth.

in the vicinity of one-fifth

More formal and less common, indicating a value close to one-fifth.

just about a fifth

Emphasizes that the value is slightly more than an estimated one-fifth.

in the neighborhood of a fifth

Similar to "in the vicinity of", but slightly less formal.

something like a fifth

Informal, suggesting an inexact comparison to one-fifth.

a proportion of about 20%

Expresses the same quantity as percentage instead of fraction.

FAQs

What does the phrase "around a 5th" mean?

The phrase "around a 5th" means approximately one-fifth or about 20% of something. It's used to give a rough estimate rather than a precise measurement.

Is it appropriate to use "around a 5th" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "around a 5th" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, alternatives like "approximately one-fifth" or "roughly one-fifth" are more suitable.

What are some other ways to express "around a 5th"?

Other ways to express "around a 5th" include "about a fifth", "close to a fifth", or "nearly a fifth", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Can I use "around a 5th" when referring to quantities that cannot be precisely measured?

Yes, "around a 5th" is particularly useful when referring to quantities that are difficult or impossible to measure exactly. For example, you might say "around a 5th" of the attendees were first-timers.