for about a tenth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for about a tenth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when estimating a fraction or proportion of something, typically in contexts involving measurements or comparisons. Example: "The new design improved efficiency for about a tenth of the original cost."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

These account now for about a tenth of new mortgages.

The Economist

That last item, which includes weddings, funerals and religious events, typically accounts for about a tenth of the household's budget.

The Economist

Its audience was mostly men; pornography — videos and blogs — accounted for about a tenth of its revenues.

The New Yorker

Gold alone accounts for about a tenth of all exports (though that is down from half two decades ago).

The Economist

Manufacturing accounts for about a tenth of the economy and remains 6.4% below its pre-financial crisis peak.

The Guardian - Business

They now change hands for about a tenth of that value.One reason is that thermal-coal prices are near a three-year low as Chinese demand has slackened.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

After all, manufacturing does account for about a sixth of the economy.

Independent

You want to aim for about an eighth of an inch thick.

WikiHow

Fees and grants from government accounted for about a third.

The New York Times

Fuel accounts for about a third of their costs.

The New York Times

For about a third, English was not the first language.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for technical contexts that require more precision, consider using a percentage (10%) instead of "for about a tenth".

Common error

Avoid using "for about a tenth" when you actually mean to refer to principles or beliefs, which are "tenets". Ensure the context clearly indicates you are referring to a fraction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for about a tenth" functions as a prepositional phrase used to provide an approximate quantity or proportion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for expressing that something is roughly 10% of the whole. The examples provided by Ludwig show the phrase in various contexts, generally expressing quantities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for about a tenth" is a common and acceptable phrase used to indicate that something is approximately 10% of a whole. Ludwig AI confirms that this expression is valid and usable in written English. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts but can be used in more formal settings as well. While grammatically sound and generally appropriate, it's important to consider whether a more precise figure like "10%" would be more suitable for the context. Consider alternatives like "approximately one tenth" or "roughly a tenth" if you want to adjust the tone or formality of your writing. Make sure, however, that you do not confuse "tenth" with "tenets".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately one tenth

Replaces "for about" with a more formal "approximately", indicating a slight change in formality.

roughly a tenth

Uses "roughly" instead of "for about", suggesting a less precise estimate.

around a tenth

Substitutes "around" for "for about", conveying a similar sense of approximation.

close to a tenth

Indicates nearness to the fraction of a tenth.

nearly a tenth

Highlights that the amount is only slightly less than a tenth.

almost a tenth

Similar to "nearly a tenth", emphasizing proximity to the fraction.

in the vicinity of a tenth

More formal and emphasizes the approximate nature of the fraction.

a tenth or so

Informal and emphasizes the approximate nature with "or so".

one tenth give or take

Adds "give or take" to highlight the estimation aspect.

on the order of one tenth

More technical, often used in scientific or mathematical contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "for about a tenth" in a sentence?

You can use "for about a tenth" when you want to express that something is approximately 10% of a whole. For example: "Buy-to-let mortgages account "for about a tenth" of new mortgages."

What's a more formal alternative to "for about a tenth"?

A more formal alternative is "approximately one tenth" or "roughly one tenth". These phrases convey a similar meaning but are suitable for more formal writing contexts.

What does "for about a tenth" mean?

"For about a tenth" means approximately one-tenth, or 10%, of something. It indicates an estimation rather than an exact quantity.

Is it better to use "for about a tenth" or "10%"?

It depends on the context. "For about a tenth" is suitable for general and informal writing. "10%" is more precise and appropriate for technical or business contexts where accuracy is important.