in a fraction of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a fraction of" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is usually used to describe a small portion or percentage of something. You can use it in various contexts, such as time, quantity or degree. Example 1: "The marathon runner completed the race in a fraction of the time it took last year." Example 2: "He managed to solve the puzzle in a fraction of the usual time." Example 3: "Their new marketing strategy increased sales by a fraction of 5%."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Organizations can deploy tools in a fraction of the time required a decade ago.

Huffington Post

All that in a fraction of a second.

The Economist

In a fraction of a millisecond, electrons jump from one atomic nucleus to the other.

The Guardian

"In a fraction of a second I lost all sense of time and space.

The Guardian

The valves switch on or off in a fraction of a second.

The New York Times

And it all has to happen in a fraction of a second? A. It does.

The New York Times

"In a fraction of a second, the music stopped and there was a lot of screaming.

The Guardian

Here Pomahac would have to remove far more tissue in a fraction of the time.

The New Yorker

In a fraction of a second Hussey had a decision to make.

The Guardian - Sport

"All this happened in a fraction of a second," she said.

The New York Times

"The play developed in a fraction of a second," said Weekes, who made 35 saves.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a fraction of" to emphasize speed or efficiency when comparing to a previous time or expected duration. For instance, "They completed the project in a fraction of the time it usually takes."

Common error

Avoid using "in a fraction of" without a clear point of comparison. For example, instead of saying "The new software works in a fraction of time", specify what it's faster than, such as "The new software processes data in a fraction of the time compared to the old system."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a fraction of" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, indicating the degree or extent to which something is reduced, accelerated, or made more efficient. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently used to emphasize a significant difference or improvement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

34%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in a fraction of" is a versatile and commonly used adverbial modifier. As Ludwig AI underlines, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely employed to highlight a significant reduction in time, resources, or effort. With a neutral register, it fits seamlessly into news, academic, and scientific contexts. The phrase functions to emphasize efficiency and improvement, making it a valuable tool for clear and impactful communication. Remember to use "in a fraction of" to create emphasis by quantifying the degree of reduction, and always ensure there's a clear comparison for maximum clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a small portion of

Replaces 'fraction' with 'small portion', emphasizing the reduced quantity.

in a tiny segment of

Uses 'tiny segment' to highlight the diminutive nature of the part.

within a fragment of

Emphasizes the broken-off or incomplete nature of the portion.

in a mere sliver of

Highlights the insignificance of the quantity using 'mere sliver'.

within a scintilla of

Emphasizes an extremely small amount, almost negligible.

in a limited measure of

Focuses on the restricted or finite quantity involved.

in a reduced amount of

Highlights the decreased quantity or extent.

within a microcosm of

Suggests a smaller representation of a larger whole.

in a negligible percentage of

Emphasizes the very low proportion involved.

in a minimal quantity of

Focuses on the exceedingly small amount present.

FAQs

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

Use "in a fraction of" to indicate that something is completed or achieved much faster or with significantly less resources than before. For example, "The task was completed "in a fraction of the time" it used to take."

What are some alternatives to "in a fraction of"?

You can use phrases like "in a small portion of", "in a tiny segment of", or "within a fragment of" depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to specify what "in a fraction of" is referring to?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the point of comparison makes your writing clearer and more impactful. Without it, the reader may not fully understand the extent of the improvement or reduction you're describing.

Can "in a fraction of" be used to describe quantities other than time?

Yes, "in a fraction of" can be used to describe quantities, resources, or any measurable aspect. For example, "The project required "in a fraction of the resources" originally estimated."