around a sixth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "around a sixth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an approximate fraction or portion of something, typically in contexts involving measurements or statistics. Example: "The survey indicated that around a sixth of the participants preferred option A over option B."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Its market share is down to around a sixth, even with Motorola; it inherited a quarter from its parents.

The Economist

The venture capitalists dotted along just one street in Silicon Valley--Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park--control around a third of America's independently-raised venture capital, and around a sixth of the world's total.

The Economist

Most noteworthy is that the firm causing the excitement is British Energy, whose eight nuclear power stations (and one coal-fired plant) produce around a sixth of Britain's electricity.

The Economist

In Britain the figure is £92 billion ($144 billion), or around a sixth, for FTSE 350 companies.Policymakers are under pressure from businesses to lengthen the period over which they must eliminate the deficit.

The Economist

But when asked to single out the most important issue, a quarter of respondents chose immigration, compared with around a sixth for the economy and slightly less still for the NHS.

The Economist

A deal, expected to be worth about £12 billion ($23.7 billion), would have put E.D.F., the world's largest nuclear operator, in control of British Energy, which owns eight nuclear power stations and generates around a sixth of the country's electricity.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

But the flood took around a third of her plants.

The Guardian

Cars are around a third more efficient than a decade ago.

The Economist

Cummins aimed a full, wide delivery on around a sixth-stump line, and Bravo launched his whole body towards it to drive it high over point for six!

The Guardian - Sport

Around a third of these were children.

The Guardian - Film

Stay standing and I'll come around a second.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "around a sixth", ensure the context clearly indicates what the fraction is referring to. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "around a sixth" when a precise fraction is known or required. This phrase implies an approximation, so use an exact fraction when precision is important.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around a sixth" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, indicating an approximate proportion. Ludwig confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "around a sixth" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate an approximate proportion. Ludwig's analysis confirms its versatility across contexts, especially in news and media. It's crucial to use it when an estimation suffices and avoid it in situations demanding precise measurements. Alternatives like "approximately one-sixth" or "roughly a sixth" can be used for variety. Remember to ensure clarity in your writing by specifying what the fraction refers to.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

about a sixth

This substitutes "around" with "about", providing a simpler and more direct way to express the approximation.

approximately one sixth

This alternative is more formal and precise, using "approximately" to explicitly indicate an estimate.

roughly a sixth

Similar to "approximately one sixth", this substitutes "around" with "roughly", indicating an estimation.

one-sixth approximately

This places the approximation after the fraction, slightly changing the emphasis.

a sixth or so

This reverses the order and adds "or so" for emphasis on the inexactness of the fraction.

nearly a sixth

This alternative is emphasizing that the proportion is close to one sixth

in the vicinity of a sixth

This alternative is less common and more verbose, emphasizing the approximate nature of the quantity.

just about a sixth

This use of "just about" adds a slightly more casual tone, indicating a loose approximation.

something like a sixth

Similar to previous alternatives, this includes an informal indication of approximation.

in the neighborhood of a sixth

This alternative is more colloquial than "in the vicinity of", suggesting an approximate amount.

FAQs

How can I use "around a sixth" in a sentence?

You can use "around a sixth" to describe a proportion or quantity that is approximately one-sixth of a whole. For example, "Around a sixth of the population is affected by the disease".

What are some alternatives to saying "around a sixth"?

Some alternatives to "around a sixth" include "approximately one sixth", "roughly a sixth", or "about a sixth".

Is it more appropriate to use "around a sixth" or "one-sixth"?

Use "around a sixth" when you need to indicate that the quantity is an approximation. Use "one-sixth" when you're referring to a precise fraction.

When should I avoid using the phrase "around a sixth"?

Avoid using "around a sixth" in contexts where precision is required, such as scientific or mathematical calculations. In these cases, using the exact fraction or a more precise measurement is more suitable.