for a good portion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for a good portion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something applies to a significant part or extent of a situation or time period. Example: "For a good portion of the meeting, we discussed the upcoming project deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Its site seemed to be up and down for a good portion of the day.

The New York Times

Then Wednesday in Montreal the offense couldn't even really get going for a good portion of the game.

The Guardian - Sport

For a good portion of the season, Gonzalez stayed on the fringes of Barry Bonds's record-breaking home run pace.

The New York Times - Sports

There were no string arrangements in Ellington's originals, and the strings were silent for a good portion of Saturday's revisions.

The New York Times - Arts

For a good portion of the domestic opera audience, the idea of American opera is a contradiction in terms.

The New Yorker

The numerous aftershocks we experienced caused the villagers to remain outside for a good portion of the day.

Harvard University

But there's the rub: For a good portion of the hour we are watching a standard cop show.

The New York Times - Arts

But Rouen, France — Flaubert's birthplace and the setting for a good portion of "Madame Bovary" — evokes a different mood altogether.

The New York Times - Travel

It accounts for a good portion of the country's exports and employs more than three million workers.

The New York Times

The weather was abominable for a good portion of the race, but by Sunday afternoon it became diabolical.

The New York Times

But now I have to remain in denial for a good portion of the time because otherwise I'd go crazy.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for a good portion" to describe time, consider whether a more specific duration (e.g., "for several hours", "for most of the day") would provide clearer context.

Common error

Avoid stacking vague quantifiers. Instead of saying "for a good portion of many days", try to quantify either the portion or the days more precisely to enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for a good portion" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate the extent or duration of an action or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and appropriate for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for a good portion" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe a significant amount of time, space, or quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, including news, academic, and general writing. While it's a common expression, consider using more specific quantifiers for enhanced clarity in certain situations. Keep in mind it implies that some part is substantial but not necessarily the majority of something. The phrase can be effectively used in many kinds of texts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for the better part of

Implies that something is close to, but not necessarily, the majority.

for much of the time

Highlights the temporal duration, suggesting a considerable amount of time.

for a large segment

Indicates a major section or division.

during a significant part

Highlights a notable segment within a larger whole.

for a considerable period

Focuses on the duration aspect, emphasizing a significant length of time.

for a sizable fraction

Suggests a noteworthy quantity or percentage.

through a substantial segment

Emphasizes the extent of the part in question.

during a major fraction

Conveys that a large part of something is affected.

during a good slice

Offers a more informal way to express a substantial portion.

through a hefty chunk

Emphasizes that a considerable portion is involved.

FAQs

How can I use "for a good portion" in a sentence?

You can use "for a good portion" to indicate a significant amount of time, space, or quantity. For example: "For a good portion of the day, I worked on the report."

What phrases are similar to "for a good portion"?

Alternatives include "for the better part of", "for much of the time", or "during a significant part".

Is "for a good portion" formal or informal?

"For a good portion" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, a more precise term might be preferable.

What's the difference between "for a good portion" and "for the majority of"?

"For a good portion" suggests a substantial amount but not necessarily more than half. "For the majority of" implies more than half. Use "for the majority of" when you want to specifically indicate more than 50%.