by a fraction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by a fraction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a small part or portion of a whole, often in mathematical or statistical contexts. Example: "The results improved by a fraction, indicating a slight increase in performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Fractional delay filters are digital filters to delay discrete-time signals by a fraction of the sampling period.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

The shares rose by a fraction, 0.3p, to 202.2p.

The Guardian - Business

China also became, by a fraction, the world's largest exporter.

The Economist

To eliminate preventable deaths, not just reduce them by a fraction.

The Guardian

Last year, it shrank again, by a fraction of a percent.

The New York Times

The bullet missed his spine by a fraction of an inch.

The New York Times

They won the team gold medal by a fraction of a point, with Czechoslovakia second.

The Guardian - Sport

("If you are wrong by a fraction of a degree, you would burn countries and continents").

The Guardian

Did it fall short, by a fraction, of the brisk, outgoing zeal of the previous ventures?

The New Yorker

National politics is again beset by a fraction too much faction.

The Guardian

I am, sadly, still very partial to Lies We Tell Ourselves, but only by a fraction.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by a fraction" to emphasize the smallness of a change, difference, or quantity. For example, "The company's profits increased by a fraction, indicating a slight improvement."

Common error

Avoid using "by a fraction" when the change or difference is significant. It's more appropriate for minor adjustments rather than substantial shifts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by a fraction" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, specifying the extent or degree to which something has changed or varies. This is supported by Ludwig examples demonstrating its use to quantify small changes in measurements, scores, or quantities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by a fraction" is a common prepositional phrase used to denote a minimal amount or degree of change. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and finds frequent application across diverse domains, including news media, scientific discourse, and formal business communication. While semantically similar alternatives exist, such as "by a small margin" or "by a narrow amount", the choice depends on the desired level of precision and formality. Remembering its function is crucial to prevent misapplication in scenarios involving substantial changes. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, understanding its nuance empowers writers to convey subtle distinctions effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by a small margin

Refers to a slight difference or degree; less precise than "by a fraction".

by a narrow amount

Indicates that something is achieved or missed by a small degree.

by a hair's breadth

Implies an extremely small margin; often used in close calls or near misses.

by a slim percentage

Specifically refers to a small change or difference expressed as a percentage.

by a tiny bit

Informal way of saying a small amount or degree.

just barely

Indicates that something was achieved with minimal effort or success.

by the skin of one's teeth

Suggests surviving a difficult situation with almost no room to spare.

by a shade

Means by a slight degree or amount.

by a whisker

Indicates a close call or a narrow victory.

by an inch

Implies a very close margin, often used figuratively.

FAQs

How can I use "by a fraction" in a sentence?

Use "by a fraction" to indicate a very small degree or amount. For example, "The temperature increased "by a fraction" of a degree" or "The team won "by a fraction" of a point".

What are some alternatives to "by a fraction"?

Alternatives include phrases like "by a small margin", "by a narrow amount", or "by a slim percentage", each suggesting a minimal difference or quantity.

Is it correct to say "increased by a fraction of 1%"?

Yes, it's correct. It emphasizes that the increase is less than 1%, indicating a very small change. You could also say "increased "by a fraction" of a percent".

What's the difference between "by a fraction" and "by a percentage"?

"By a fraction" implies a vague, small amount, while "by a percentage" specifies the exact proportion of change. Use "by a percentage" when you have precise numerical data; use ""by a fraction"" for general, small quantities.