constitute a significant portion of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "constitute a significant portion of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the contribution or representation of a particular element within a larger context or group. Example: "The new policies constitute a significant portion of our overall strategy for improving employee satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Steelmaking remains important, although services constitute a significant portion of the economy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There are also obscure, quietly powerful forces that escape public scrutiny not just the security apparatus but enormous charitable trusts called bonyads, which were created from the private holdings of the Shah and his supporters after the revolution and now constitute a significant portion of the Iranian economy.

The New Yorker

There are also obscure, quietly powerful forces that escape public scrutiny — not just the security apparatus but enormous charitable trusts called bonyads, which were created from the private holdings of the Shah and his supporters after the revolution and now constitute a significant portion of the Iranian economy.

The New Yorker

Thus, azo dyes constitute a significant portion of dyes that are used in industries nowadays.

International Journal of Industrial Chemistry

The four incidents together constitute a significant portion of your property right.

SEP

By varying the geometric capacitance, we find that charging effects constitute a significant portion of the activation energy.

Nano Convergence

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Tourism alone constitutes a significant portion of this amount annually.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the case of Christopher McCandless, there is evidence that H. alpinum seeds constituted a significant portion of his meager diet during a period before his death.

The New Yorker

Despite the country's frequent balance-of-payment deficits, defense spending consistently constitutes a significant portion of the total budget.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Health care economists agree that as much as half of the industry's costs is waste, but that excess constitutes a significant portion of the financial baselines of most health care organizations.

The New York Times

Corporations registered in Delaware pay an initial incorporation fee and thereafter an annual franchise tax; this constitutes a significant portion of the state's revenue.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Quantify the portion if possible by replacing "significant" with numbers. For example, consider using "constitute 75% of" rather than "constitute a significant portion of" to convey the information with greater precision.

Common error

Avoid using "constitute a significant portion of" without clearly defining the total context. For example, instead of saying 'Services constitute a significant portion', specify 'Services constitute a significant portion of the economy' for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "constitute a significant portion of" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something forms a considerable part of a larger entity. Ludwig provides examples showing its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

19%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "constitute a significant portion of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something forms a notably large part of a whole. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various domains like science, news, and encyclopedias. While grammatically sound, clarity can be enhanced by quantifying the portion when possible. Alternatives include "make up a considerable part of" and "represent a major segment of". Remember to avoid vagueness by clearly defining the whole being referenced to ensure clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constitute a sizable segment of

Similar meaning, replacing 'significant' with 'sizable' to emphasize size.

make up a considerable part of

Emphasizes the components that form a notable part of something.

make up a substantial portion of

Alternative wording using 'make up' and 'substantial' for conveying the same meaning.

represent a major segment of

Highlights the representation of a large section within a larger entity.

account for a substantial fraction of

Focuses on the proportional amount that something represents.

represent a considerable fraction of

Alternative wording using 'represent' and 'considerable' for a similar impact.

form a large component of

Stresses the role of something as a key element.

comprise a notable share of

Indicates the portion that something occupies within a total.

form a key ingredient of

More idiomatic than the original phrase, adding an element of importance.

play a prominent role in

Emphasizes the importance and influence rather than the quantitative aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "constitute a significant portion of" in a sentence?

Use "constitute a significant portion of" to indicate that something forms a notably large part of a whole. For example: 'Azo dyes "constitute a significant portion of" dyes that are used in industries nowadays'.

What are some alternatives to "constitute a significant portion of"?

You can use alternatives like "make up a considerable part of", "represent a major segment of", or "account for a substantial fraction of" depending on the context.

Is it better to quantify 'significant' when using "constitute a significant portion of"?

Yes, quantifying 'significant' (e.g., using percentages) can enhance clarity and precision, especially in technical or formal writing. For example, 'Renewable energy sources constitute 30% of the total energy supply' is more informative than 'Renewable energy sources "constitute a significant portion of" the total energy supply'.

How does the formality of the context affect the use of "constitute a significant portion of"?

The phrase is suitable for formal, neutral, and professional contexts. In more informal settings, simpler terms like "make up a lot of" or "are a big part of" might be more appropriate.