constitute a fraction of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "constitute a fraction of" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a small part or percentage of something makes up a larger whole. Example: "The company's profits this year only constitute a fraction of what they were last year." In this sentence, it is being conveyed that the profits this year are significantly smaller compared to the previous year's profits.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Specialized analog equipment fills a warren of rooms, but demand is dwindling and the dozen employees constitute a fraction of the number of workers in the 1980's.

The New York Times

Although nonprimary-residence and owner-occupancy cases constitute a fraction of the total housing court caseload, they resonate through the landlord-tenant legal community and grab a disproportionate piece of the court calendar.

The New York Times

Recent studies revealed that submicroscopic CNVs constitute a fraction of the genetic causes of both isolated and syndromic 46,XY DSD.

Molecular and Cellular Pediatrics

Since then, the feature seems to have become less important to Raptr, in part because automatic updates only apply to native PC games, which only constitute a fraction of Raptr's game database.

TechCrunch

The access lines USTA quotes could fall under the 4.7 million "Main Access Lines" (or it could include some of the other 'switched access' categories), but it is only voice, "switched", copper-based phone lines, which only constitute a fraction of the actual lines in service in the year 2007.

Huffington Post

During an epidemic, infected individuals who can be identified (either as influenza-like illness or laboratory confirmed case) constitute a fraction of the subpopulation I s with symptoms.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The value of each category constitutes a fraction of the reliability of individual peer.

Journal of Computer and System Sciences

We have heard reassuring utterances that subprime paper constitutes a fraction of the total mortgage market and, therefore, the current meltdown should not be a major strain on the economy.

Forbes

More than that, in-person voter impersonation fraud, the only kind of fraud voter ID laws work to prevent, constituted a fraction of any cases reported, much less prosecuted.

Huffington Post

Since the use of forceps has declined from 0.5% in 1999 to 0.2% in 2010 and now only constitutes a fraction of all deliveries in Sweden, we decided to exclude this mode of delivery in this study.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Myocardial VO2 also constitutes a fraction (1-2%) of whole body VO2 during exercise [78].

Sports Medicine - Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "constitute a fraction of", ensure the context clearly establishes the larger whole being referred to. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "constitute a fraction of" when referring to a majority or a significant portion; the phrase implies a small or negligible part. Choose alternative phrasing such as "constitute a significant portion" or "form the majority of" to accurately reflect the scale.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "constitute a fraction of" functions as a quantifying expression, indicating that a part or component makes up a small portion of a larger whole. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and common in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

10%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "constitute a fraction of" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to indicate that something represents a small portion of a larger whole. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears across various contexts, including science, news, and formal writing. It is suitable for neutral and professional registers. To enhance clarity, always ensure the larger whole is clearly established. Consider alternatives like "represent a portion of" or "comprise a minority of" to fine-tune the intended nuance. Remember to avoid using this phrase when referring to something that represents a significant portion or majority. The authoritative sources like The New York Times, BMC Genomics and Forbes, show it is a valid and clear way to express quantity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

represent a portion of

Changes the verb to 'represent' focusing on the idea of portrayal rather than composition.

form a segment of

Replaces 'fraction' with 'segment', highlighting a part of a whole entity.

comprise a minority of

Shifts the focus to the numerical minority aspect of the proportion.

account for a small percentage of

Uses a more explicit quantitative description instead of 'fraction'.

make up a limited part of

Emphasizes the limited extent of the contribution.

are a minor component of

Highlights the role as a component but specifies its minor significance.

constitute a small piece of

Substitutes 'fraction' with 'piece' implying a tangible element.

represent a mere sliver of

Uses 'sliver' to describe a thin or narrow portion.

are just a fragment of

Replaces 'fraction' with 'fragment' conveying incompleteness.

constitute a negligible amount of

Focuses on the insignificance of the quantity.

FAQs

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

You can use "constitute a fraction of" to indicate that a small part of something makes up a larger whole. For example, "Renewable energy sources constitute a fraction of the total energy production."

What is a good alternative to "constitute a fraction of"?

Alternatives include "represent a portion of", "form a segment of", or "comprise a minority of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "constitute a fraction of" or "constitute a small part of"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "constitute a fraction of" is often used when a more precise or quantitative sense is desired. "Constitute a small part of" is more general. They both convey a similar meaning, with the choice often depending on context and desired level of formality.

What's the difference between "constitute a fraction of" and "constitute the majority of"?

"Constitute a fraction of" implies a small portion, while "constitute the majority of" indicates that something forms more than half of the whole. They are opposite in meaning and should be used carefully to accurately reflect the proportion being described.