constitute a small fraction of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "constitute a small fraction of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the proportion or percentage of a particular group or element in relation to a larger whole. Example: "The new policies constitute a small fraction of the overall budget, but they have a significant impact on our operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Yet they constitute a small fraction of the total incidents.

The New York Times - Tech

The 500,000 barrels a day constitute a small fraction of the 75 million barrels a day the world consumes.

The New York Times

In the early 21st century Asians continued to constitute a small fraction of the population, but their numbers were increasing rapidly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Even though such vast collections only constitute a small fraction of possible chemical space, it is still very difficult to apply a typical biological screen to all molecules in a collection when seeking novel hits on targets of interest [11].

Journal of Cheminformatics

The problem is that because each individual is exposed to a set of items that constitute a small fraction of the full item pool, the corresponding estimate of proficiency would be associated with a large error variance.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

This, as well as the fact that refugees experience large emotional costs from migration, suggests that the expenditures and debts reported by refugees only constitute a small fraction of the total utility loss incurred.

Journal for Labour Market Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Keeping all other parameters unchanged (e.g., ΔGShSh) but using the same value of the lateral association rates for the two lateral bond types, our simulations (data not shown) show that the ribbon and other hybrid structures are still observed, but constitute a smaller fraction of the total population.

Plosone

The officials said although the men from Muslim and Middle Eastern countries constituted a small fraction of those who have ignored deportation orders, they would be the initial focus of efforts to locate evaders and expel them.

The New York Times

Analysis using this model showed that, due to oxygen diffusion limitations, the reaction zone within the biofilm is located at the biofilm/biomedium boundary and constitutes a small fraction of the entire biofilm volume.

Chemical Engineering Science

The operons formed with plasmidic homologs constituted a small fraction of the predicted operons (Table 1).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The persister subpopulation constitutes a small fraction of the total cell population and is distinguished from the normal subpopulation by a reduced growth rate.

BMC Systems Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "constitute a small fraction of", ensure that the context clearly establishes what the 'whole' is, to which the small fraction is being compared. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "constitute a small fraction of" when the actual proportion is significant. Overstating or understating the fraction can mislead the audience and undermine the credibility of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "constitute a small fraction of" functions as a quantifying expression, indicating that a particular element or group represents only a minor portion of a larger whole. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

68%

News & Media

16%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "constitute a small fraction of" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression to denote that something represents a minor portion of a larger whole. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for use in written English. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, its purpose is to emphasize relative insignificance. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the 'whole' for comparison, and avoid misrepresenting the actual proportion. Related phrases include "represent a small portion of" and "make up a small part of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

represent a small portion of

Replaces "constitute" with "represent", maintaining the meaning but using different vocabulary.

make up a small part of

Uses "make up" instead of "constitute", offering a more informal alternative.

account for a small percentage of

Focuses on the numerical aspect, emphasizing the percentage.

form a minor segment of

Replaces "fraction" with "segment", providing a slightly different visual metaphor.

are a small component of

Highlights the idea of being a part or element of a larger entity.

comprise a negligible portion of

Emphasizes the insignificance of the amount with "negligible".

are an insignificant amount of

Focuses on the quantity, portraying it as unimportant.

only a tiny part of

Uses simpler vocabulary to convey the smallness of the fraction.

a limited quantity of

Focuses on the limited quantity of the item

insignificant compared to

Highlights insignificance with respect to something else

FAQs

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

Use "constitute a small fraction of" to indicate that something forms a minor part of a larger whole. For example: "Renewable energy sources "constitute a small fraction of" the total energy production."

What are some alternatives to "constitute a small fraction of"?

You can use alternatives like "represent a small portion of", "make up a small part of", or "account for a small percentage of" depending on the context.

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

"Constitute a small fraction of" implies a formal composition or formation of a part of a whole, whereas "are a small fraction of" is a more general statement about quantity. The better choice depends on the specific context.

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

"Constitute a small fraction of" means to make up a part of something, while "comprise a small fraction of" means to be made up of a small portion. While similar, "constitute" emphasizes the part, and "comprise" emphasizes the whole.